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NBA Rumors: Jonathan Kuminga is benched for Warriors vs. Pelicans in the middle of contract year | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors
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NBA Rumors: Jonathan Kuminga is benched for Warriors vs. Pelicans in the middle of contract year | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the LA Clippers at Chase Center on October 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors are moving forward Jonathan Kuminga to the bench on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Kendra Andrews report.

In addition to the move, Charania also offered a little more context.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

The Warriors are moving F Jonathan Kuminga to the bench tonight against the Pelicans, sources tell me and @kendra__andrews. It’s an intriguing development in a fourth season in which an extension has yet to be finalized for either side and the team has discussed using him for the next step. pic.twitter.com/RxYOq3nuuj

Kuminga enters last year opts out of his contract and will enter restricted free agency in 2025.

Bay Area News Group’s Danny Emerman received a message from Kuminga in response to the move. Kuminga apparently had not heard from head coach Steve Kerr before adding further comments.

Danny Emerman @Danny Emerman

…I’m not the coach, it’s his decision.”

“Kuminga was benched for the remaining 18 minutes of the Warriors’ 130-127 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4 at Chase Center after scoring 16 points in 18:57 on the court, a decision that Golden “I didn’t like it.” State fans and the former lottery tip alike.

“The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the following day that Kuminga had “lost confidence” in Kerr and that his bench appearance against the Nuggets was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

It’s been a rough start to three games for Kuminga, who averaged just 8.0 points on 33.3 percent shooting in 19.7 minutes.

However, Kerr doesn’t seem worried about the launch.

Warrior on NBCS @NBCSWarriors

Steve Kerr spoke before tonight’s game about Jonathan Kuminga’s play during the Warriors’ first three games pic.twitter.com/EjOd7ZVGwp

Last year, Kuminga had a good season with 16.1 points on 52.9 percent shooting and 4.8 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game. So he’s obviously capable of playing better. And as Kerr said, three games is a small sample size.

Still, given the way Kuminga responded and the apparent lack of communication on the issue, there appears to be a problem. Golden State of Mind had this to say.

The decision to bench Kuminga is also interesting considering the Warriors were shorthanded without Stephen Curry, De’Anthony Melton and Andrew Wiggins entering the night due to injuries.

The Warriors started Curry, Wiggins, Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis in the first three games. With this man, the team decided to face the Pels.

Golden State started the season 2-1, with wins against the Portland Trail Blazers (140-104) and Utah Jazz (127-86) and a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (112-104).

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