SAN FRANCISCO – The Jonathan Kuminga saga took another turn after Wednesday’s practice.
If Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s post-practice remarks are to be believed, the team’s most polarizing figure could make his return to the rotation in Phoenix on Thursday.
“JK has been great this last week, as he’s been out of the rotation, he’s working really hard, and I’m going to reward that,” Kerr said. “I mean, he needs to be back out there.”
Yes, after staying on the bench for three straight games, the athletic and inconsistent 6-foot-7 forward might get another opportunity. Even as rumors of his departure swirl, Kuminga cannot be traded until Jan. 15 after signing as a restricted free agent before the season.
Kuminga hypothetically provides a skillset that the Warriors (13-14) desperately need.
After being bullied inside by the Timberwolves and ripped apart by Portland’s endless collection of bouncy wings to the tune of 120-plus points in back-to-back losses, the Warriors could benefit from his size on the wing.
The defense has been, to put it lightly, an issue as of late.
“We can keep the ball in front of us better,” De’Anthony Melton said. “And just rotations, communication. Making sure we’re talking out there.”
Both Kuminga and Kerr have recently emphasized that they share an amicable relationship, one not soured by Kuminga’s inconsistent playing time and quality of play.
After signing a $46 million contract to conclude a dramatic summertime negotiation, Kuminga started the first dozen games of the season, passing with aplomb and running the floor hard at the beginning. But after the first few weeks, Kuminga began to fall into the same ball-stoppinghabits that Kerr has long loathed. It did not help that after being moved to the bench, Kuminga was immediately lost to injury for seven games.
After struggling to find his shot and being turnover-prone since coming back, Kerr took Kuminga out of the rotation.
Now, it appears that Kuminga will have another chance to solidify a spot in the Warriors’ lineup – bringing with him a 12.4 point-per-game average and a team-leading 6.3 rebounds per game – albeit not in the starting five.
Kerr has made it clear that he wants to start Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler with Moses Moody and Quinten Post.
It will be the first time in 10 games that the Warriors have trotted out the same starting lineup in back-to-back games, and Kerr hopes it can create the same kind of consistency the Warriors enjoyed during last season’s 23-8 finish.
“We found rotations that worked, and we stayed with them and developed a lot of consistency down that stretch,” Kerr said.
Horford update
Al Horford is nearing his return to the active roster. The 39-year-old center has missed eight of the previous nine games with sciatica, including the last four.
Kerr said Horford’s sciatica pain has receded, although he is still doubtful to play Thursday in Phoenix.
“He did everything today,” Kerr said of Horford, who has played 13 games this year after signing as a free agent. “The injury is healed, and it’s now about ramping back up with rhythm and conditioning.”
Richard out, vets in
Kuminga is not the only young player left out of the rotation recently. Will Richard has started 12 games as a second-round pick out of Florida, averaging 8.0 points per game.
However, Kerr explained why the rookie revelation didn’t play in the last two games after being a consistent starter for half the year.
“The great thing with Will is that he gets it,” Kerr said. “I went to him last week, told him I’m going to take him out of the rotation because we’re getting healthy, and I want to play my vets and give everybody you know a look.”
Kerr later added that Richard will get an opportunity in the future to rejoin the rotation. The combo guard currently finds himself behind Curry, Moody, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield in the backcourt.