NBA rumors: Jonathan Kuminga benched for Warriors vs. Pelicans in middle of contract year | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on October 27, 2024 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this image, User consents 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)

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

Charania also offered some more context next to the move.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

Warriors move F Jonathan Kuminga to the bench tonight vs. Pelicans, sources tell and @kendra__andrews. Exciting development in a fourth season where no extension was complete for either side, and the team has discussed setting him up to take the next step. pic.twitter.com/RxYOq3nuuj

Kuminga is heading into last year of his contract and will enter restricted free agency in 2025.

Danny Emerman of the Bay Area News Group got word from Kuminga in response to the move. Kuminga apparently had yet to hear from head coach Steve Kerr before adding several remarks.

Danny Emerman @Danny Emerman

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

It is not the first time that Kuminga has had some problems behind the bench. Taylor Wirth of NBC Sports Bay Area provided insight last February.

“Kuminga was on the bench for the remaining 18 minutes of the game The Warriors’ 130-127 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4 at the Chase Center after scoring 16 points in 18:57 on the court, a decision that didn’t sit well with Golden State fans and the former lottery pick.

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

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

Kerr doesn’t seem worried about the start, though.

Warriors on NBCS @NBCSWarriors

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

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

But still, there seems to be some sort of problem, given the way Kuminga reacted and the apparent lack of communication on the matter. Golden State of Mind had this to say.

Golden State of Mind @unstoppable baby

Kuminga has to be OK with his role changing, but the Warriors also have to communicate with their players before communicating with the media. https://t.co/pqqNSn4Mqi

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

The Warriors started Curry, Wiggins, Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis in the first three games. He was the one the team decided to play with against 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).