Despite a disagreement with head coach Steve Kerr about his usage earlier this season, Jonathan Kuminga never got to a point where he wanted to leave the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga told ESPN's Kendra Andrews he never thought about requesting a trade prior to the Feb. 8 deadline and wants to remain with the Warriors.
In the aftermath of Golden State's Jan. 4 loss to the Denver Nuggets, in which Kuminga was on the bench for the final 18 minutes, The Athletic's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported the 21-year-old had "lost faith" in Kerr and didn't believe the head coach would allow him to reach his full potential.
Kerr addressed the report and Kuminga's frustration during a Jan. 5 press conference, though he didn't say what they talked about.
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslaterHere's a more extended soundbite from Steve Kerr on Jonathan Kuminga. Said he spoke with Kuminga today and wished any displeasure remained in-house.<br><br>"You have an issue, I'm here. I'm the most accessible coach in the league probably. My door is always open." <a href="">
Andrews noted Kuminga has made a point of stopping by Kerr's office for regular visits over the past two months, and he's brought members of his family to spend time with the Warriors.
"When you get to know someone better, there's a natural level of trust built in," Kerr told Andrews about his relationship with Kuminga.
Things certainly seem to have smoothed over for everyone involved. Kerr agreed to a two-year, $35 million extension with the Warriors that ties him to the club through the 2025-26 season and makes him the highest-paid coach in the NBA by average annual salary.
In 32 games since losing to the Nuggets, Kuminga has established himself as an essential piece for the Warriors. He's averaging 19.8 points on 54.6 percent shooting, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during this stretch.
Kuminga's rookie contract runs through the 2025-26 season, but he's eligible to sign an extension this summer. There's some thought he could get a deal in the range of the five-year, $131 million extension Jaden McDaniels signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason.
Based on how Kuminga has been playing, he's made himself a core member of the Warriors' roster going forward. He's also an excellent young player for a team that's been trying to find long-term stars who can eventually take over with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson all in their mid-30s.
