Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed the recent drama stirred up around third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga on Friday.
“I played 15 years and all 15 I was frustrated with my playing time,” Kerr told reporters ahead of the Warriors’ matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
In the aftermath of the Warriors’ 130–127 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, The Athletic reported that Kuminga “has lost faith in Steve Kerr and no longer believes that Kerr will allow him to reach his full potential.”
“We talked,” Kerr said Friday. “Obviously those things are better discussed behind the scenes. Any time something like that goes public, it creates a distraction. ... You have an issue, I’m here. I’m the most accessible coach in the league probably. My door is always open.”
Here’s a more extended soundbite from Steve Kerr on Jonathan Kuminga. Said he spoke with Kuminga today and wished any displeasure remained in-house.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 6, 2024
“You have an issue, I’m here. I’m the most accessible coach in the league probably. My door is always open.” pic.twitter.com/nVYW76b7HB
Kuminga has started the Warriors’ last 11 games with Draymond Green out indefinitely due to suspension, but he wasn’t in the closing lineup Thursday night when Golden State fumbled an 18-point lead and lost on a 39-foot buzzer-beater by Nikola Jokic.
In 33 games this season, Kuminga is averaging 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game.
His average playing time per game ranks seventh on the Warriors, behind Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and rookie Brandin Podziemski.
