Though he’s taken some of the flak over the past few months on his fit and future with the Golden State Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga remains a key part of head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Over the summer, there were serious questions about whether the 23-year-old would even be on the Warriors by this time, but after signing an extension in the offseason, he’ll at least remain on the team until he becomes trade eligible on January 15.
However, despite all the rumors, speculation, and criticism, Jimmy Butler has come out of the woodwork as one of Kuminga’s biggest supporters. In the face of the contract negotiations, questions on if he’s wanted within the organization, and the trajectory of his career going further, Butler has taken Kuminga under his wing.
According to an article written by Anthony Slater of ESPN, the Warriors’ trade deadline acquisition had a lot to say about the forward who has made a ton of headlines through his first five NBA seasons.
“Butler is a believer that winning cures all. So he’s been on Kuminga about improving winning habits — defend with constant effort, rebound with force, limit turnovers, creatively get to the line, space properly, and take a back seat when necessary,” the insider wrote on the relationship between the two.
After a hot start, Kuminga has been relegated back to the bench and is currently sitting out with a knee injury. In 13 appearances for the Warriors this season, he is averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 47.8% shooting.
Jimmy Butler’s Honest Thoughts On The Rising Star
Slater detailed the bond between Butler and Kuminga, beginning with the former’s assistance to the latter’s contract and internal struggles over the offseason. Butler has now taken on a mentor role for the forward, who, according to team sources, still feels like he’s sitting on the outside of the organization.
“I realize that he listens to me,” Butler said. “He respects me. And I don’t ever take that for granted. But I’m always going to tell him the truth, too. And when JK doing some [expletive], I’m going to tell him we can’t have that, man… [But] I definitely think he has the potential to be [a star].”
Sources within the Warriors told Slater that Kuminga felt like a ‘human trade exception’ this summer throughout his negotiations with the team. Though he signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension, Kuminga, the players, and the organization as a whole know he isn’t guaranteed a long-term future in Golden State.
After comforting and offering words of advice, Butler reportedly shot Kuminga straight. While he might not feel like he’s been treated how he’s wanted within the organization and his role on the court, Butler thinks that could be his own doing.
“But with that, I think Draymond [Green] nailed it on the head. He said, ‘Hey, you asked for this.’ So all the talking that they talking — good, bad, indifferent — you can’t let this affect who you are. You can’t let this [expletive] affect how you play,” Butler said.
The six-time All-Star and two-time Finals runner-up also believes Kuminga’s situation is about finding winning situations and learning to play better alongside Steph Curry, rather than focusing on scoring or individual statistics.
“He’s got a lot of feelings, which is OK,” Butler added.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Uncertain Warriors Future
Slater’s reporting shows a growing relationship between the veteran and rising star. But though Butler’s been his biggest cheerleader as of late, that by no means signals Kuminga will still be on the team in the next few months.
Once he signed his deal with the team, there was language in the contract that left open the possibility of a trade. A Kuminga move can’t happen until mid-January, but as of now, it is still not off the table.
“That Jan. 15 eligibility date on Kuminga’s contract gives them an unofficial starting clock on trade season. Until then, the Warriors have questions to answer about themselves and the league,” Slater wrote in a separate article for ESPN. “How is Kuminga playing and fitting as the season develops?”
Well, so far this year, Kuminga has been on and off. While Butler’s recommendations to the star appear to be having some positive impact, he still doesn’t fit with what the Warriors need around Curry, Butler, and Green. Yet still, Golden State had the chance to make a sign-and-trade deal over the summer for new talent, but they knew, despite the concerns, they know he has potential.
“The fifth-year wing generated legitimate bites from only the Kings and Phoenix Suns in restricted free agency, but the Warriors didn’t like what either offered in sign-and-trade packages,” Slater added. “As situations change and [general manager Mike] Dunleavy is freed from the base year compensation issue, can he find an organization willing to give the type of return for Kuminga that owner Joe Lacob would require to green light?”
As mentioned, besides just the recent knee injury, Kuminga’s performance has dropped since Kerr took him out of the starting lineup. The Warriors are currently 9-8, and as they enter the final chapter of the Curry era, despite the relationship with Butler, it is fair to say Kuminga could be one of the first players out by that January 15th date.
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