The Golden State Warriors have had a disappointing regular season, currently sitting at 13-14 overall and eighth in the Western Conference. The lackluster play has led Steve Kerr to experiment with various lineups, resulting in the benching of upstart forward Jonathan Kuminga.
This move has once again led to trade speculation; however, Kerr just provided an encouraging update on the former No. 7 overall pick’s chances of returning to the rotation.
Steve Kerr Gave an Update on Jonathan Kuminga Earning a Spot Back in the Warriors’ Rotation
Despite their uneven start to last season, the Warriors were able to completely turn around their year after trading for six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler. This revamped roster went 23-7 after the blockbuster deal and went on to upset the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Unfortunately, this form hasn’t continued, and now things look bleak for this former dynasty. Looking to find a spark, Kerr made the bold move of benching Kuminga, who has struggled with efficiency this season. While the fifth-year forward hasn’t appeared in any of the last three games, Kerr gave an encouraging update on Kuminga ahead of Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
“JK has been great [in practice] this last week as he’s been out of the rotation. He’s working really hard and I’m going to reward that. He’s needs to be back out there. It’s tricky, I think we have 14-15 guys who I feel really comfortable putting on the floor, but I also only feel comfortable playing eleven at the most each night.”
The Warriors Have Depth, yet Lack Consistency Around Their Franchise Superstar
Much of the Warriors’ struggles lie on offense, with this team ranking 21st overall in offensive rating. The supporting cast ultimately is not giving franchise superstar Stephen Curry enough help on this end. The all-time great point guard’s assist totals are down, but he’s currently averaging his highest point total since the 2020-21 season.
At 37 years old, Curry has shown that he can still be the best player on a championship-contending team, but he needs more consistent help from the likes of Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski.
There has to be another gear from this trio for the Warriors to win another first-round playoff series, and Kuminga will likely get another chance to prove himself on Thursday. The Warriors will be on the road for their matchup against the Suns at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
