SAN FRANCISCO — The Loudest Noises at Ground Level Golden State Warriors The organization urges Jonathan Kuminga‘s trade request and the constant chatter about his future will not be a distraction.
“Everyone here can say with confidence that it won’t be a distraction because he’s not going to be a distraction,” the veteran forward said. draymond green Said Kuminga pointing towards the locker room.
The warriors are moving forward silently. After a shaky 13-15 start, they have won 10 of their last 14 games and go 4-1 on this current homestand with an impressive performance. win 126-113 over recession new York Knicks On Thursday night.
But the Kuminga cloud continues to loom. The embattled fifth-year forward issued a trade demand to the organization on Thursday, when he officially became trade eligible, league sources told ESPN.
The team’s front office has spent the last several weeks assessing the trade market for Kuminga. Sacramento Kings And dallas mavericks League sources said he is among the most interested suitors.
Team sources said the Warriors have prioritized expiring deals in trade talks and are motivated to move Kuminga, but nothing appears imminent or guaranteed, leaving the inactive Kuminga to bide his time.
He hasn’t touched the floor in 14 games, working out individually and sitting at the end of the bench during games. Kuminga hasn’t spoken to reporters in days, but was in a jovial mood when seen in the locker room and team facility.
“This is a very unique situation,” Stephen Curry Said. “Our job is to keep playing, keep winning. It’ll sort itself out one way or the other.”
veteran forward jimmy butler Butler has been one of Kuminga’s strongest supporters since arriving from Miami via trade last February.
“We like Zeke in this locker room,” Butler said. “That’s not going to change. If it happens that he’s not here, we’ll still rock with JK. That’s for everybody. I wish the best for him here. I wish the best for him wherever he is.”
Kuminga, like Butler in his last few NBA stops, wants to continue his career elsewhere. When Butler was asked if he wanted the Warriors to fulfill his wish, he slammed the brakes.
“Hey, hey, hey, hey,” Butler said. “It has nothing to do with me. I want Zeke to be happy. At the end of the day, that’s all I want. Whatever brings him happiness and joy, that’s what I want.”
Kuminga and Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke after the shooting Thursday morning. Kerr said he preferred to keep the conversations private, but acknowledged that the entire incident was a “difficult situation” for everyone involved.
Winning reduces stress. The Warriors erased an early double-digit deficit to the Knicks and won by 13 points with Butler’s 32 points and Curry’s 27 points.
The only concern after the game came when Curry limped around the tunnel with a sleeve on his left leg, telling ESPN that he suffered a quad contusion but played through the pain. The Warriors continue their homestand on Saturday against charlotte hornets.
“I like where we are,” Curry said. “I like the vibes. I like how we’re playing.”
