Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has taken a diplomatic view on Steve Kerr’s comments on Jonathan Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga looks to be heading towards an exit from the Golden State Warriors.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr benched Kuminga for crucial games at the end of the season, and only recalled him as a starter due to injuries.
Kuminga played well and improved his trade value, and Steve Kerr’s latest comments have only made it more likely the player will depart this offseason.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr made an eye-opening statement this week on The TK Show, admitting he cannot fit him into the lineup.
This was not a shock based on comments he has made before, but it was notable that he chose to say it publicly, ahead of free agency.
Kerr said: “I’ve been asked to win. And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say, I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have, Steph, Jimmy, and Draymond, and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”
Now, addressing the comments on his own podcast, Warriors player Draymond Green wanted to point out something specific Steve Kerr said.
Green wanted to note that that Kerr was referring directly to the current Warriors roster, which is likely to change this summer, even if Kuminga stays.
Green explained: “He said, ‘with this roster that we have’, I’m not sure he didn’t say that Jonathan Kuminga can’t play 38 minutes anywhere and be a successful player, and be an impactful player and possibly reach his promise. That’s not what he said. He said ‘with this roster’.”
It’s a valid point, except for the fact the Warriors’ most straightforward path to improving their roster may actually be by trading Kuminga.
Draymond Green says he does not totally agree with Steve Kerr’s assessment of Jonathan Kuminga in this instance.
He explained: “I don’t know that I necessarily agree, you just haven’t seen it.
“And so I’m not of the mindset that something just doesn’t work, that you haven’t had the chance to see much of.”
But he did defer to Kerr’s impressive track record, referring to the Paris Olympics in 2024 with dropping Jayson Tatum.
“Also in saying that, I think when you look at Steve, one thing that he’s shown as a coach is he going to make the decision that he think is best, regardless of what it comes with.
“We’re talking about the same man, the same legend that didn’t play Jayson Tatum in the Olympics and dealt with all flak that came with that.
“But at the end, to his point, his ultimate goal is to win, and they won a gold medal, and that’s what he set out to do.”
