Jonathan Kuminga has grown frustrated with his role after being demoted from the Warriors’ starting lineup, with one team source telling ESPN the forward “feels like the scapegoat again.” Kuminga becomes trade eligible on January 15 after signing a two-year, $48.5 million deal in September after a prolonged 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 dipped and turnovers spiked during the losing stretch. Coach Steve Kerr returned him to a bench role, reopening old wounds from previous seasons. Another source described Kuminga feeling like a “human trade exception” amid ongoing trade speculation.
Multiple sources within the organization and around Kuminga acknowledge Jimmy Butler has the best chance of stabilizing 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.
For the Warriors 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 sides navigate at least two more months before he can be traded. The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns had the strongest level of interest in Kuminga as a restricted free agent.
“I feel like, in this league, he’s one of the people that actually [has] been in my shoes throughout their career,” Kuminga said of Butler. “And knows what I’ve been going through.”
“I f—ing love him,” Butler told ESPN. “I know he has fans, but I’m his No. 1. Because he got all the tools to be great. Somebody just needs to show him how to utilize these tools.”
Butler and Kuminga played 86 minutes together in the Warriors’ first five games. Golden State outscored opponents by 40 points in those minutes.
