Report: Jonathan Kuminga has major issues with Steve Kerr

Dec 28, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) stands on the court before the start of the game against the Miami Heat at the Chase Center. Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors have another issue on their hands, this time involving young wing Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga has “lost faith” in coach Steve Kerr after sitting on the bench for the final 18 minutes of Thursday’s game, according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Kuminga believes that Kerr will prevent him from reaching his full potential, though it is unclear what Kuminga can and will do in light of that stance.

Kuminga scored 16 points in 19 minutes Thursday, but Kerr preferred Andrew Wiggins to close out the game. Wiggins stayed on the court as Golden State blew an 18-point lead in the final seven minutes. After the game, Kerr explained that he chose to stick with Wiggins because he was playing well and had helped the Warriors open a double-digit lead.

The Warriors have invested a good deal into Kuminga, who was drafted seventh overall in 2021. He has become a regular starter since Draymond Green was suspended, but is still playing roughly 22 minutes per game and has not been trusted by Kerr in other crunch time situations, even when he seems to be playing well.

Kuminga has faced some questions in the past over his work ethic and his relationship with one of his high-profile teammates.

Golden State has Kuminga under contract through the 2024-25 season, so he does not have many options if he wants out. Ultimately, the biggest impact in the short-term is another headache for a 16-18 Warriors team.