Former Golden State Warriors players Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes strongly criticize Jonathan Kuminga for his reported dissatisfaction with head coach Steve Kerr. Last Friday, Kuminga gained attention after a report from The Athletic indicated that the third-year forward believes Kerr is hindering his full potential. This sentiment arose when Kerr benched Kuminga for the last 18 minutes of a game against the Denver Nuggets, despite Kuminga’s strong performance, shooting 5-of-7 from the field and scoring 16 points. The benching was widely criticized on social media.
Jackson, a member of the “We Believe” squad in 2007, addressed Kuminga’s discontent on his All The Smoke podcast, advising him to show more respect to the Hall of Fame coach Kerr. Jackson suggests approaching Kerr privately and even recommends discussing the matter with teammate Draymond Green before confronting the coach.
Barnes, a part of the 2017-18 Warriors championship team, shares similar sentiments, considering Kuminga’s actions a mistake. While acknowledging Kuminga’s talent and the frustration he may feel about waiting for his time to shine, Barnes emphasizes the importance of not airing such grievances in public. Despite the misstep, Barnes expresses optimism that Kuminga can learn from the experience.
Barnes also believes Kuminga likely regrets his public outburst, cautioning the young player against losing the faith of the locker room. However, Kerr has not sidelined Kuminga for his alleged discontent, and the former No. 7 overall pick continues to start for the Warriors. Kerr addressed the report, confirming a one-on-one conversation with Kuminga to resolve their disagreements.
Kuminga clarifies that his issues with Kerr stem from communication about his fluctuating role within the team, not just his lack of playing time. As the NBA trade deadline approaches, speculation arises about the Warriors potentially trading the disgruntled young player. According to Shams Charania, every player on the team is open for trade discussions except for Steph Curry. The Warriors currently hold a 17-20 record, trailing two games behind a play-in spot in the Western Conference.