Warriors’ Coach Reflects on Kuminga’s Trade to Hawks
It seems that the partnership between Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors was never really meant to last.
On Wednesday, head coach Steve Kerr shared his thoughts on Kuminga following the young player’s trade to the Hawks. He acknowledged that, while he appreciates the 23-year-old’s talents, the whole situation has been quite complicated.
“It was challenging for everyone, considering Kuminga was still developing when he joined us and we were focused on winning a championship,” Kerr commented during an interview. “He needed the opportunity to make mistakes and, well, gain the experience that comes with being in the NBA.”
Kerr also touched on the struggles of nurturing Kuminga’s growth during a competitive season for Golden State. “It wasn’t easy for our coaching staff to develop him while also aiming for a title,” he noted. “Everyone liked him, including me. He was genuinely a great person and well-liked in the locker room. It just felt like it could’ve been a good match.”
The Warriors made a significant move by sending Kuminga to Atlanta along with guard Buddy Hield. In return, they have acquired former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis, which is expected to address their center position issues.
Kerr’s remarks come on the heels of a tumultuous season for Kuminga, who had been taken out of the Warriors’ lineup before eventually requesting a trade on January 15.
From the start, tensions between Kuminga and the Warriors were palpable. The forward was somewhat reluctant to sign a two-year, $46.8 million contract shortly before the season began. Reports suggest that Kuminga felt pressured to finalize the deal to resolve ongoing negotiations.
This season, he posted an average of 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field over 20 games, but only played around 23.8 minutes each game due to limited opportunities.
Kuminga initially started in the first 12 games of the season but only appeared in seven games following a shift to the bench before being traded.
