NBA Analyst Furious Over Kuminga Drama: ‘What’s the Deal?’
Former NBA champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins slammed the Golden State Warriors for what he views as unfair treatment of their restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
The disgruntled Kuminga and the Warriors are at a stalemate following failed extension negotiations and sign-and-trade talks.
“It’s a bad look,” Perkins said on “NBA Today” on July 30. “It’s a bad look on the Warriors in my opinion.
“One, because I get it with the information that Jonathan Kuminga is saying he’s going to bet on himself, but it’s hard to walk into a locker room and bet on yourself when a coach has shown you time and time again that at any given time, he could pull you out of the rotation. That’s number one.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr removed Kuminga from the Warriors’ playoff rotation. But when he played spot minutes when Jimmy Butler (glute) and Stephen Curry (hamstring) were out, Kuminga made the most of his opportunities.
Under the unusual circumstances, Kuminga delivered big numbers in the Warriors’ second-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves without the injured Curry.
The 22-year-old forward averaged 24.3 points on 55.4% shooting and 38.9% from the 3-point line during the final four games, which gave him supreme confidence heading into this offseason.
Kuminga Rejects Warriors’ Offer, Bets on Himself
Kuminga posted an Instagram story with a strong message amid the fallout with the Warriors.
“I’ll bet on myself all day,” Kuminga wrote on his Instagram story.
The disgruntled Kuminga and the Warriors are at a stalemate following failed extension negotiations and sign-and-trade talks.
“It’s a bad look,” Perkins said on “NBA Today” on July 30. “It’s a bad look on the Warriors in my opinion.
“One, because I get it with the information that Jonathan Kuminga is saying he’s going to bet on himself, but it’s hard to walk into a locker room and bet on yourself when a coach has shown you time and time again that at any given time, he could pull you out of the rotation. That’s number one.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr removed Kuminga from the Warriors’ playoff rotation. But when he played spot minutes when Jimmy Butler (glute) and Stephen Curry (hamstring) were out, Kuminga made the most of his opportunities.
Under the unusual circumstances, Kuminga delivered big numbers in the Warriors’ second-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves without the injured Curry.
The 22-year-old forward averaged 24.3 points on 55.4% shooting and 38.9% from the 3-point line during the final four games, which gave him supreme confidence heading into this offseason.
Kuminga Rejects Warriors’ Offer, Bets on Himself
Kuminga posted an Instagram story with a strong message amid the fallout with the Warriors.
“I’ll bet on myself all day,” Kuminga wrote on his Instagram story.
Kuminga’s intriguing social media post came on the heels of ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reporting that their camp rejected the Warriors’ latest offer — a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option on the second year — as he prefers a fresh start elsewhere.
However, the Warriors are shutting down the sign-and-trade talks because they did not like any of the offers. They are looking for an unprotected first-round pick, a young player and a rotation player, according to Charania.
‘What’s the Deal?’
Perkins took exception to that.
“Number two, why not let this man go be great? And why are you holding them hostage and from going to another team in a sign-and-trade if it’s the Phoenix Suns or the Sacramento Kings that have up to $90 million on them?
“Yes, you want great value back for him, but while he’s in your organization, you’re not valuing him as if he’s that type of player,” Perkins said.
The ESPN analyst is high on Kuminga, who averaged above 15 points in two consecutive seasons despite going in and out of Kerr’s rotation.
“And I’m looking at a Jonathan Kuminga, who I believe his ceiling is very, very high,” Perkins continued. “His peers feel the same way. And I just don’t understand what the guy that you drafted with the number seven pick that’s been showing you signs [of star potential] and that’s been developing. He never comes to training camp out of shape. We never question how hard-working he is. He’s gotten better every single season.
