Jonathan Kuminga’s trade situation is getting difficult day by day as the mid-season trade deadline approaches. However, Jimmy Butler’s season-ending injury has changed everything, as the team might reconsider its decision. Amidst discussions about his value in the market, his agent, Aaron Turner, shared an indirect comment on social media, seemingly meant for the Warriors management.
Butler suffered a knee injury in the second half of the Warriors’ win against the Miami Heat while attempting to grab a rebound. He was instantly taken to the locker room and was later revealed to have an ACL tear. Kuminga, on the other hand, already demanded a trade due to his earlier tussles with the team.
While the team was already looking to move Kuminga, it would be more desperate now to find someone to bolster their frontcourt. However, the Warriors clarified earlier that they were looking out for expiring contracts, and it was believed that management might not get a good offer in return.
It seems that might just be the case, as highlighted by the forward’s agent. Turner shared a screenshot on X, explaining the relation between demand and price and how the seller can tackle it. Seemingly pointing towards the Warriors’ situation, in the post, he wrote:
“Demand is sensitive to price or playing time, So if a seller sees demand is low, lower the price point or let him play and demand will go”
It seems that Jonathan Kumiga’s agent meant that if the forward was not attracting much attention from other teams, the options that the team has are to either decrease their demands in return for him, meaning decrease the price, or make him play so that he garners attention and can prove his worth.
And it seems Kuminga has decided to respond to the team’s call, even when Gilbert Arenas advised him otherwise.
Gilbert Arenas advises Jonathan Kuminga not to “fall for it”
It seemed inevitable that the Warriors management would try to convince Jonathan Kuminga to change his decision and play for the team. Advising the forward not to answer the team’s call to play now, Gilbert Arenas said on X:
“When you pick that phone… Don’t fall for it, yeah. No, no, they showed you their true colors; they don’t want you here… Don’t shoot another mo**erf***ing basket for them. They gonna throw everything and move for you.”
However, the team has already made the call. Kuminga suited up in the Warriors’ last game against the Toronto Raptors after a month and seemed ready for the challenge. He scored 20 points in 21 minutes off the bench, alongside Buddy Hield, who was perfect from the 3-point line, shooting 6-6, and scored 25 points.
Even though the Warriors suffered a loss against the Raptors, 127-145, Kuminga’s form might have relieved head coach Steve Kerr and the management. It remains to be seen whether he will receive any offers from other teams.
READ MORE: Jonathan Kuminga Told to Stay Put With Warriors After Jimmy Butler’s Season-Ending Injury Setback
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