Warriors reportedly change Jonathan Kuminga stance as trade drama continues

Jeremy Beren

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Warriors reportedly change Jonathan Kuminga stance as trade drama continues image

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Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors remain at odds.

Kuminga's outlook with Golden State has only gotten worse since he ended a protracted contract negotiation by agreeing to a two-year, $48.5 million deal with the Warriors in September. The former top-10 draft pick has fallen out of Steve Kerr's rotation; he last played on Dec. 18, taking the court for 10 minutes in a loss to the Phoenix Suns.

MORE: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga linked to blockbuster trade with Mavericks

Kuminga has been a fixture in trade rumors for months. On Jan. 15, Kuminga finally becomes trade-eligible. The expectation around the NBA has been that the Warriors would deal the 23-year-old small forward as soon as possible in order to chase after an All-Star caliber wing to help Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

But the Warriors' stance on Kuminga's future reportedly is changing.

According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Warriors are contemplating the possibility that Kuminga sees out the season in the Bay Area. Even though the Sacramento Kings remain interested in acquiring Kuminga, the Warriors would keep Kuminga if "nothing appealing materializes."

Perhaps that is pressure on Sacramento to make an improved offer, as Kuminga is making $22.5 million and has no apparent future role in Golden State.

It is certainly an interesting, if not risky, stance for the Warriors to take. Golden State is 19-18 and ranks 21st in offensive rating; the Warriors are closer to the 12th-place Los Angeles Clippers than they are to the fourth-place Denver Nuggets.

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Staff Writer