We’re only a month into the new NBA season, and cracks are already starting to show between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga. The explosive forward has found himself back with the second unit in recent games, as Steve Kerr searches for his best on-court combinations.
In a Nov. 20 report from ESPN’s Anthony Slater, it was noted that Kuminga feels like he’s the scapegoat for the Warriors’ recent struggles, which have come as they navigate a brutal opening stretch of the season. “He feels like the scapegoat again,” a team source told Slater.
The relationship between the Warriors and Kuminga was already on thin ice. The two sides spent the summer locked in a contractual standoff, with neither side willing to concede much ground. Given that lengthy negotiation period and some old wounds now reopened for Kuminga, it’s fair to assume he could be on the trade block as we get closer to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
A recent report from Marc Stein has backed that train of thought. The longtime NBA reporter noted that there is growing anticipation in the NBA about a potential Kuminga trade.
“As the Warriors continue to scuffle in the face of a difficult early schedule, fading from their 4-1 start thanks to a 2-5 tailspin fueled by the extended absence of Stephen Curry, anticipation grows in various corners of the league that Kuminga will be dealt before the Feb. trade 5 deadline,” Stein wrote. “He’s not even eligible to be moved until Jan. 15, but it’s no secret that the Warriors’ hardball stance all summer with Kuminga in the sides’ restricted free agency saga was adopted with the intention to ensure that the 23-year-old was re-signed to a tradeable contract.”
Kuminga has played in 13 games this season. He’s averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists, shooting 47.8% from the field and 32.4% from deep. Multiple teams would likely be interested in acquiring him via a trade, assuming the Warriors were asking for a fair price.
However, there’s still a long way to go until Kuminga is eligible to be traded. He could still get his season back on track and re-emerge as an important part of the team’s rotation. However, if things continue in the current direction, a trade may be best for both sides.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Golden State Warriors could still trade Jonathan Kuminga
Reporting by Adam Taylor, Warriors Wire / Warriors Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
