Post-Kuminga sidelining by Kerr: Warriors to explore trades in coming weeks; separation likely imminent

On December 8th Beijing time, Kuminga, the Warriors' fourth highest-paid player, was left off the 11-man roster in the Warriors’ 123-91 dominant victory over the Bulls, even though the team was missing major contributors Curry, Green, and Howard. Warriors insider Slater reported—

“Except for the stars, nearly every player encounters this kind of circumstance,” Warriors head coach Kerr said regarding the decision to bench Kuminga. “Players come in and out of the rotation depending on availability and overall team condition.”

This is Kuminga’s fifth season with the Warriors. Like the previous four years, despite fluctuating playing time, attendance, on-court performance, and the team’s trust in him, his situation remains a focal point. He seems never to have fully integrated into the team.

Previously, a protracted restricted free agent negotiation dragged on several days into training camp, ultimately resulting in Kuminga re-signing for a two-year, $46.8 million deal with a team option in the second year. Sources revealed that this team-friendly and trade-friendly contract was forced upon Kuminga, leaving both sides somewhat resentful from the talks.

However, early in the new season, Kuminga briefly showed signs of growth and resurgence. Starting at power forward, he was a key contributor to the team’s 4-1 strong start, prompting Kerr to state clearly that Kuminga would be a permanent starter.

Yet that momentum quickly halted, and the team’s stance reversed as it had often done during his tenure.After a brief losing streak, Kuminga was removed from the starting lineup following 13 games; he then missed seven games with a knee tendonitis injury, and his performance upon return was lackluster, shooting just 12 of 40 over four games.

Last week’s game against the Cavaliers epitomized his struggles: he shot 1-for-10 overall. Despite missing Green, Curry, and Butler, Kerr replaced him in the fourth quarter with backup forward Santos. During the Warriors' unexpected victory, Green was seen consoling a frustrated Kuminga on the sidelines.

Butler returned in the game against the Bulls, taking some of Kuminga’s previous minutes. Before the game, Kerr decided to make Santos the primary backup forward, fully sidelining Kuminga from the established 11-man rotation.

“That’s how the league operates,” Kerr said. “There’s always someone eager to take your spot, so everyone must compete hard and give their best for the team. Many on our squad are doing just that.”

Kuminga revealed that Kerr gave him a straightforward notice before the game—the team would use a different rotation scheme.

“I’m not sure how long this will last,” Kuminga said. “But as long as the team functions well and wins, I don’t think any changes are necessary. Whenever the team needs me, I’m ready to step in.”

In this game, the Warriors secured their second consecutive road win thanks to a strong performance from their bench players.

Two-way contract guard Spencer has scored in double figures in four straight games; sophomore center Poole made five three-pointers; Podziemski scored 21 points, marking his highest personal total since late October. The team held the Bulls to just 91 points, having limited the Cavaliers to 94 points the previous night.

“The team has been playing well lately; everything is on track,” Kuminga said. “Since we have momentum, I don’t see a need to remove anyone from the rotation.”

After concluding this road trip, the Warriors hold a 13-12 record. The team will have four days off before hosting the Timberwolves,with Curry and Green expected to return, which will likely further marginalize Kuminga within the current rotation.

“I have no complaints,” Kuminga said. “I train every day and stay ready because you never know how situations might change. I’m confident in my abilities and satisfied with my performance; I just need to maintain professional standards. This kind of thing happens from time to time; it’s happened before.”

Kuminga will be eligible for trade on January 16th Beijing time. According to league sources, the Warriors plan to explore trade options for Kuminga in the coming weeks, and it is highly likely the two sides will part ways before the February trade deadline.

“I’ve moved past what happened over the summer,” Kuminga said. “I can’t worry about too many things at once; that would throw me off track. What happened in the summer can’t be changed, and I’ve long let it go.”

Recently,Kerr has given Kuminga more specific instructions: to sprint and move aggressively rather than lingering in the backcourt for the ball; to speed up decision-making and avoid relying on mid-range jump shots.

When asked about his relationship with Kerr, Kuminga stated, “We have a good relationship and communicate to resolve issues. There’s no conflict, and I have no personal grievances. Things just haven’t gone as I expected. I’ll stay positive, focus on improving myself, and maintain my form.”