Jonathan Kuminga has become frustrated with his role after being demoted from the Warriors’ starting line-up, with a team source telling ESPN that the forward ‘feels like the scapegoat again’. Kuminga will be eligible for trade on Jan. 15 after signing a two-year, $48.5 million deal in September following extended restricted free agency. The Warriors started 4-1 with him in the starting lineup before losing five of seven games and making changes.
Kuminga’s performance declined and sales peaked during the losing period. Coach Steve Kerr returned him to a bench role, reopening old wounds from previous seasons. Another source described Kuminga as a “human trading exception” amid ongoing trade speculation.
Multiple sources within the organization and around Kuminga acknowledge that Jimmy Butler has the best chance to stabilize the situation. Butler has hosted Kuminga for dinner and spent time with him on recent road trips. The veteran star sees parallels between Kuminga’s current struggles and his early career in Chicago.
“He feels like the scapegoat again,” the team source said.
If the Warriors want to reach their ceiling this season, team sources believe Kuminga must overcome built-up resentment. The relationship between Kuminga and the franchise remains uncertain as both parties have to wait at least another two months before he can be traded. The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns had the highest interest in Kuminga as a restricted free agent.
“I feel like in this league he’s one of the people who does that [has] I’ve been in my shoes for their entire career,” Kuminga said of Butler. “And know what I’ve been through.”
“I fucking love him,” Butler told ESPN. “I know he has fans, but I’m his No. 1. Because he has all the tools to be great. Someone just needs to show him how to use those tools.”
Butler and Kuminga played 86 minutes together in the Warriors’ first five games. Golden State outscored its opponents by 40 points in those minutes.
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