In today’s Dub Hub:
- Steve Kerr weighs in on Jonathan Kuminga’s upcoming January 15 trade eligibility.
- Steve Kerr shares an injury update on Draymond Green.
- Mavericks’ center Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending foot surgery, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
It’s starting to feel like Jonathan Kuminga’s time with the Golden State Warriors is heading toward an inevitable end. During Wednesday’s press conference, head coach Steve Kerr addressed Kuminga’s upcoming January 15 trade-eligibility date after the former seventh-overall pick once again found himself out of the Warriors’ rotation.
“I can imagine it’s not easy for him,” Kerr said. “We’ve talked about the situation. My desire for (Jonathan Kuminga) is to become the best player he can possibly be, regardless of where he ends up, whether it’s here or elsewhere.”
It marked another clear tone shift from Kerr, who has stopped waving off the speculation. Instead, he’s begun confronting Kuminga’s situation directly — including during an interview with 95.7 The Game earlier this week, where he pointed to Kuminga’s recent poor play as the reason for his DNP against the Chicago Bulls.
Kerr acknowledging that Kuminga’s future may be “elsewhere” is an indication that a potential split from its former lottery pick may ultimately be best for all sides involved.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, December 11th:
Warriors News:
Anthony Davis trade guide: Risks, Mavs’ timeline, five proposals | ESPN
Should the Warriors break up the Green-Stephen Curry pairing for a shot at Davis? Probably not, but if they can’t figure out more consistency when healthy, it’s worth considering because of the massive offensive upgrade Davis would provide.
Although Golden State continues to play at a high level with Green on the court, he’s shooting 38% from the field, his lowest mark since his rookie season — worse even than 2019-20, when Curry played just five games during what became a gap year.
Davis would be the rim threat as a roll man the Warriors have long sought. They could also save money this season by structuring this as a multiteam deal, sending Hield to a third team. In this case, he goes to the rival Lakers to supply the shooting threat they need.
Steve Kerr shares Draymond Green update as Warriors star nurses foot injury | NBC Sports Bay Area
Green has missed Golden State’s last two games with a right foot injury, which sidelined him in the second quarter of the team’s 99-98 loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia last Thursday. The veteran power forward is making strides toward a return, however, as Warriors coach Steve Kerr told 95.7 The Game on Tuesday.
“He’s scheduled to practice [Wednesday], and with the scrimmage [Thursday], we’ll have a much better feel afterwards for how close he is,” Kerr told the “Willard & Dibs” show. “But I don’t have an answer yet as to whether he’ll play on Friday, but I’m excited to get him back and pair him with De’Anthony [Melton].”
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NBA News:
At 24-1, Thunder tie 2015-16 Warriors for the best 25-game start in NBA history | NBA
Wednesday’s win was Oklahoma City’s 17th by 10 or more points this season. That ties for the second-most through 25 games ever; Boston had 19 double-digit wins in the first 25 games in 2007-08.
The Thunder became the first franchise to have that many double-digit wins this early in back-to-back seasons. They also had 17 such wins in the first 25 games of last season.
Mavs’ Dereck Lively II to miss the rest of the season due to a foot injury
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Steph Curry practiced tonight, promising for a return on Friday
Furthermore, while the Warriors showed life without Curry over the last five games, they are still largely hard pressed to find a consistent stream of offense without their main engine. Per PBP Stats, the Warriors are nearly 12 points per 100 possessions better on offense with Curry on the floor.
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
