Jonathan Cumminga gets a ‘hopeful’ injury timetable update from Steve Kerr

SAN FRANCISCO– Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has been sent off for the past four games with bilateral patella tendinitis and will miss his fifth game when the Dubs take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Ahead of the Warriors’ NBA Cup third round matchup, head coach Steve Kerr provided an update on Cummings’ nagging knee injury.

“Obviously he’s been on the trip with us and he’s been with the training staff every day,” Kerr told reporters when asked what physical activity Cummings can do.

“I don’t think he’s fought, so he’s down in the weight room right now. He’s going to have a good session on the court today. We’ll have a day off tomorrow and then practice on Sunday, so hopefully he’ll train on Sunday and we’ll see how he is after the game on Sunday.”

It’s been an up-and-down season for Cumminga, who is averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds on 47.8 percent shooting. After showing encouraging flashes of talent in the Dubs’ 4-1 start as a key starter, Kuminga struggled along with the rest of the team in games leading up to his midway exit against the San Antonio Spurs. Cumminga’s inconsistency, along with a lack of effort and energy throughout the team, led Kerr to move Cumminga and Quinten Post to the bench in favor of Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard.

What does this mean for Kuminga’s future?

As with all things Kuming, when things are good for him, things feel good for him and everyone around him. But when things are rocky, as they were before the knee tendinitis injuries, everything is uncertain and unstable.

According to a team source per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, a move has been made Kuminga feels “like a scapegoat again”. It’s a reminder that there remains some instability between the 23-year-old forward and the Warriors organization. And despite Jimmy Butler’s public and vocal support young forward, the Cummings-Warriors relationship remains in question. Kuminga will become eligible for a trade on Jan. 15, which raises questions about what the team will do with him if the turbulence between the two sides remains.

NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that one anonymous veteran front office executive viewed Cummings and his one-plus-one team deal as “one of the best trade chips in the league.” That signals the Warriors could get a nice return if they decide to move on from their polarizing young player.

However, Butler and the veterans have been extremely vocal in their belief in Cummings, pointing to the upside he so often shows. With age and attrition being one of the main obstacles for the Warriors this season, Kuminga’s youth, size and athleticism remain as troublesome as ever.

Whenever Kuminga returns, it’s still imperative that they find a way to get him to play like he should have to open the season.