Warriors' Steve Kerr Compares Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors to Andrew Wiggins Tenure
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has been the subject of trade rumors for most of the season, and head coach Steve Kerr was reminded of a similar situation with a former member of the team's core.
While speaking on the Tom Tolbert Show, Kerr explained the necessity to be careful reporting trade rumors and compared Kuminga's situation to what forward Andrew Wiggins faced before he was sent to the Miami Heat at last season's trade deadline as part of the deal that acquired star wing Jimmy Butler.
"Everybody wants honesty. They don't want to be pandered to. They want to know what's what, but you have to deliver those messages with some empathy. It's a tough spot to be in. He's got two little girls at home, and he's been here five years," Kerr said (h/t HoopsHype). "And Andrew Wiggins was in this exact boat a year ago, and Wigs actually was about to have his third child right at the trade deadline, and his name was floating out there, and we kind of go through this every year, but there's always like a player or two who become the focal point of the trade deadline."
TOP NEWS
Tracking Latest NBA Rumors
Ranking Clippers' Top Targets 🎯
Report: Pistons, Thunder Make Trade
Kuminga has been in and out of Golden State's rotation this year, appearing in 18 games with 13 starts and averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists. The 23-year-old signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension this past offseason after a lengthy contract dispute.
Kerr added that as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches, he tries to balance bringing the best out of his players on the court and keeping them informed off of it.
"I always just try to talk to the guys about the business and this is how it works and how few players in NBA history played for one franchise and it's all part of the deal that you sign up for but it doesn't make it any easier when you feel like you're being shipped off and you got to pack up your family and go," Kerr said. "It's hard, and I just think it's important to acknowledge that to the players and try to understand that part of the business."
