“He wants to be a star”

The saga between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors reached a new chapter after Steve Kerr benched the young forward on Sunday. Kuminga was a healthy scratch against the Chicago Bulls, with the Warriors coach giving him a reality check amid trade rumors.

Speaking on the “Willard & Dibs Show” on 95.7 The Game, Kerr discussed Kuminga’s role with the Warriors. The coach, a four-time NBA champion, pointed to the forward’s inconsistencies, which prevent him from reaching his full potential. It was also the reason why it is difficult for him to earn a permanent role.

“He’s obviously a guy with a lot of ambition, which I love,” Kerr said. “He wants to be a star. He has the skill that gives him that hope and gives us that hope. There has to be a consistent level of play to achieve that.”

The coach added:

“We’re talking about the best basketball league in the world, so the consistency has to be there for us. And if it’s not there, it’s a lot harder for me to give him consistent minutes and give him starts. So that’s what we’re asking for, is a more consistent level of production.”

Jonathan Kuminga received a DNP against the Chicago Bullswith Steve Kerr not even giving him minutes of garbage time when the game was out of reach. Jimmy Butler’s return from injury meant burning up most of Kuminga’s playing time, though the current play of Gui Santos and Will Richard justified his minutes.

Santos, Richard and even Pat Spencer have taken their chances, prompting calls to give Santos and Spencer standard contracts. But for that to happen, the Warriors will have to shed salary and open up roster spots. One way to do that is to make a trade, with Kuminga the most likely candidate.

Jonathan Kuminga’s relationship with Steve Kerr is unaffected by the DNP

Speaking to ESPN’s Anthony Slater after the Chicago Bulls game, Jonathan Kuminga shared that her relationship with Steve Kerr was not affected by the DNP. Kuminga reiterated that everything is fine between him and his coach.

“We have a good relationship,” Kuminga said. “We talk and figure things out. We don’t have a problem. I don’t have a problem, I just didn’t go my own way. I’m going to stay happy, I’m going to stay locked in, I’m going to stay focused, I’m positive.”

Kuminga added that he didn’t mind being benched because the team won the game and he would have no problem with him as long as the Warriors get the best results.