Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green had strong praise for teammate Jonathan Kuminga this week, highlighting the young forward’s attitude after Kuminga officially requested a trade from the Warriors. Green called the way Kuminga handled the situation impressive, especially given his age and uncertainty about his future.
Kuminga signed a two-year, $47 million contract last offseason, but after becoming trade-eligible on Jan. 15, he has not been in head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation in recent games. Kuminga’s role has fluctuated throughout his five years with the Golden State Warriors, with his minutes decreasing this season before he seeks a fresh start.
Green highlights Kuminga’s professionalism
Green didn’t mince words when discussing Kuminga’s performance off the field. “He probably handles it better than I do,” Green said. Nightcap by Prime Video. He noted that Kuminga has stayed busy, working out every day and maintaining a positive attitude despite often being frustrated by reduced playing time and trade noise.
Green added that Kuminga came into the facility with a smile and even talked more than some of his teammates on the bench — something Green called ” praise mentality towards him. He said this attitude not only helps Kuminga now, but will benefit him throughout his career and throughout his life.
Kuminga’s response and numbers
Kuminga has not spoken publicly about the incident, and Green’s praise shows the Warriors’ locker room respects how he handled it. In 18 games this season, he averaged 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 43.1% from the field. In 276 career games with the Golden State Warriors, Kuminga averaged 12.5 points per game and shot 50.2% from the field.
Although his role has declined significantly, his ability to remain professional still shines through. Green’s endorsement helps show that teammates still view Kuminga as a valuable player, regardless of trade talks.
Team Outlook Deadline
The Warriors have not yet acted on the trade request, and league sources said a deal would not be imminent. Teams such as Sacramento, Lakers, Bulls and Mavericks have expressed interest in exploring a fit with Kuminga, but negotiations are still in the early stages. Green and other veterans insist the situation has not affected the team’s winning streak as Golden State struggles to remain competitive in the Western Conference.
Green’s praise underscores a key point: Despite trade uncertainty, Kuminga’s work ethic and attitude have earned him the respect of his teammates and will likely benefit him no matter where his career goes.
