Warriors exploring S&T for Kuminga

[Larry Ellison]

I've been spending time studying all teams to get ready for fantasy basketball. Amen Thompson is getting a lot of attention as a breakout candidate this season. He is the betting favorite to win MIP. One thing Amen and JK have in common is they are both top tier athletes. Why can't JK play like Amen? Is it all mental or does Amen also have some skills that JK doesn't? HOU is going to be very good this year, even without FVV.

[Onus]

I've been spending time studying all teams to get ready for fantasy basketball. Amen Thompson is getting a lot of attention as a breakout candidate this season. He is the betting favorite to win MIP. One thing Amen and JK have in common is they are both top tier athletes. Why can't JK play like Amen? Is it all mental or does Amen also have some skills that JK doesn't? HOU is going to be very good this year, even without FVV.

The main difference is that Amen can actually dribble and make decisions with the ball. But he was also willing to be a great defender to get on the court. JK doesn't really have the lateral quickness or change of direction that Amen has. Amen is a much more functional athlete.

[East Bay Sports]

I've been spending time studying all teams to get ready for fantasy basketball. Amen Thompson is getting a lot of attention as a breakout candidate this season. He is the betting favorite to win MIP. One thing Amen and JK have in common is they are both top tier athletes. Why can't JK play like Amen? Is it all mental or does Amen also have some skills that JK doesn't? HOU is going to be very good this year, even without FVV.

For defense specifically I don't think Kuminga is nearly as agile as Amen. Amen is shifty and quick. Kuminga is more powerful and explosive. Amen also has dog mentality that Kuminga does not.

[Larry Ellison]

The main difference is that Amen can actually dribble and make decisions with the ball. But he was also willing to be a great defender to get on the court. JK doesn't really have the lateral quickness or change of direction that Amen has. Amen is a much more functional athlete.

For defense specifically I don't think Kuminga is nearly as agile as Amen. Amen is shifty and quick. Kuminga is more powerful and explosive. Amen also has dog mentality that Kuminga does not.

Agree. When I watch highlights of Amen it is like he is gliding around on the floor. When I watch JK, I can't stop thinking what is he going to do when his athleticism fades and he can't explode over people for dunks? He wants to be Kobe, but Kobe had phenomenal footwork and BBIQ, in addition to his many other talents. JK reminds me of players like Westbrook, Aaron Gordon, Blake Griffin. None are perfect comps and only AG plays the same position. Griffin became a jump shooter late in his career after his high flying days were over. AG accepted that he is a role player and has thrived next to Jokic. Westbrook is slowly wearing out his welcome in the league like other ISO stars before him such as Melo, Iverson, and Monta.

I don't see a lot of attractive trade targets to match JK's $22.5M salary. MDJ may need to bundle him with another player.

[Onus]

The main difference is that Amen can actually dribble and make decisions with the ball. But he was also willing to be a great defender to get on the court. JK doesn't really have the lateral quickness or change of direction that Amen has. Amen is a much more functional athlete.

For defense specifically I don't think Kuminga is nearly as agile as Amen. Amen is shifty and quick. Kuminga is more powerful and explosive. Amen also has dog mentality that Kuminga does not.

Agree. When I watch highlights of Amen it is like he is gliding around on the floor. When I watch JK, I can't stop thinking what is he going to do when his athleticism fades and he can't explode over people for dunks? He wants to be Kobe, but Kobe had phenomenal footwork and BBIQ, in addition to his many other talents. JK reminds me of players like Westbrook, Aaron Gordon, Blake Griffin. None are perfect comps and only AG plays the same position. Griffin became a jump shooter late in his career after his high flying days were over. AG accepted that he is a role player and has thrived next to Jokic. Westbrook is slowly wearing out his welcome in the league like other ISO stars before him such as Melo, Iverson, and Monta.

I don't see a lot of attractive trade targets to match JK's $22.5M salary. MDJ may need to bundle him with another player.

JK by himself is not getting anything of value. So will Lacob be willing to attach assets with him to get something ... I doubt it.

[Larry Ellison]

The main difference is that Amen can actually dribble and make decisions with the ball. But he was also willing to be a great defender to get on the court. JK doesn't really have the lateral quickness or change of direction that Amen has. Amen is a much more functional athlete.

For defense specifically I don't think Kuminga is nearly as agile as Amen. Amen is shifty and quick. Kuminga is more powerful and explosive. Amen also has dog mentality that Kuminga does not.

Agree. When I watch highlights of Amen it is like he is gliding around on the floor. When I watch JK, I can't stop thinking what is he going to do when his athleticism fades and he can't explode over people for dunks? He wants to be Kobe, but Kobe had phenomenal footwork and BBIQ, in addition to his many other talents. JK reminds me of players like Westbrook, Aaron Gordon, Blake Griffin. None are perfect comps and only AG plays the same position. Griffin became a jump shooter late in his career after his high flying days were over. AG accepted that he is a role player and has thrived next to Jokic. Westbrook is slowly wearing out his welcome in the league like other ISO stars before him such as Melo, Iverson, and Monta.

I don't see a lot of attractive trade targets to match JK's $22.5M salary. MDJ may need to bundle him with another player.

JK by himself is not getting anything of value. So will Lacob be willing to attach assets with him to get something ... I doubt it.

It is Kerr's job to get the best out of JK and build his trade value. That is why he gets paid the big bucks.

[Onus]

Agree. When I watch highlights of Amen it is like he is gliding around on the floor. When I watch JK, I can't stop thinking what is he going to do when his athleticism fades and he can't explode over people for dunks? He wants to be Kobe, but Kobe had phenomenal footwork and BBIQ, in addition to his many other talents. JK reminds me of players like Westbrook, Aaron Gordon, Blake Griffin. None are perfect comps and only AG plays the same position. Griffin became a jump shooter late in his career after his high flying days were over. AG accepted that he is a role player and has thrived next to Jokic. Westbrook is slowly wearing out his welcome in the league like other ISO stars before him such as Melo, Iverson, and Monta.

I don't see a lot of attractive trade targets to match JK's $22.5M salary. MDJ may need to bundle him with another player.

JK by himself is not getting anything of value. So will Lacob be willing to attach assets with him to get something ... I doubt it.

It is Kerr's job to get the best out of JK and build his trade value. That is why he gets paid the big bucks.

Building JK's trade value is a side quest, which isn't guaranteed to be fruitful. Why would you want him wasting wins trying to achieve this in what could be the last real contention year?

[whatisacenter]

I know I am one of JK's only fans here but I think he has looked pretty good so far this preseason and Kerr should be happy with his play to this point.

If he keeps moving the ball quickly and being decisive when he does attack by drawing help and finding the open man he will be a positive player.

His passing this preseason has been underrated IMO.

[Onus]

I know I am one of JK's only fans here but I think he has looked pretty good so far this preseason and Kerr should be happy with his play to this point.

If he keeps moving the ball quickly and being decisive when he does attack by drawing help and finding the open man he will be a positive player.

His passing this preseason has been underrated IMO.

I agree that JK has played well and has been moving the ball. The turnovers though are insane, which kind of just offsets any good that he is doing by moving the ball. The 2nd unit without Jimmy or Steph has been terrible so far in the preseason, which is being led by JK and secondarily by Podz.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

I know I am one of JK's only fans here but I think he has looked pretty good so far this preseason and Kerr should be happy with his play to this point.

If he keeps moving the ball quickly and being decisive when he does attack by drawing help and finding the open man he will be a positive player.

His passing this preseason has been underrated IMO.

I agree that JK has played well and has been moving the ball. The turnovers though are insane, which kind of just offsets any good that he is doing by moving the ball. The 2nd unit without Jimmy or Steph has been terrible so far in the preseason, which is being led by JK and secondarily by Podz.

Yeah... if he wasn't trying to do anything differently, I'd say we were doomed. But it does look to me like he's trying to do different (better) things, and just not doing them very well yet. So now we get to see if he can improve in those areas.

[Larry Ellison]

JK by himself is not getting anything of value. So will Lacob be willing to attach assets with him to get something ... I doubt it.

It is Kerr's job to get the best out of JK and build his trade value. That is why he gets paid the big bucks.

Building JK's trade value is a side quest, which isn't guaranteed to be fruitful. Why would you want him wasting wins trying to achieve this in what could be the last real contention year?

I don't want him wasting wins. I want him to do his job and coach up JK for better performance. If we have reached a point where that isn't possible anymore (JK's recent comments suggest he is tuning out Kerr), then Kerr is at least partly to blame. He's had 4 years with JK.

[Onus]

It is Kerr's job to get the best out of JK and build his trade value. That is why he gets paid the big bucks.

Building JK's trade value is a side quest, which isn't guaranteed to be fruitful. Why would you want him wasting wins trying to achieve this in what could be the last real contention year?

I don't want him wasting wins. I want him to do his job and coach up JK for better performance. If we have reached a point where that isn't possible anymore (JK's recent comments suggest he is tuning out Kerr), then Kerr is at least partly to blame. He's had 4 years with JK.

We've constantly heard what Kerr expects out of JK, yet JK doesn't do these things and then some people wonder why JK isn't playing. What Kerr wants out of JK hasn't changed. To JK's credit there's been a few times he's bought in. It seems like he's buying in this pre-season, regardless of his latest comments. On the court his game is changing, will it last and can he improve on it from here who knows.

[Larry Ellison]

Building JK's trade value is a side quest, which isn't guaranteed to be fruitful. Why would you want him wasting wins trying to achieve this in what could be the last real contention year?

I don't want him wasting wins. I want him to do his job and coach up JK for better performance. If we have reached a point where that isn't possible anymore (JK's recent comments suggest he is tuning out Kerr), then Kerr is at least partly to blame. He's had 4 years with JK.

We've constantly heard what Kerr expects out of JK, yet JK doesn't do these things and then some people wonder why JK isn't playing. What Kerr wants out of JK hasn't changed. To JK's credit there's been a few times he's bought in. It seems like he's buying in this pre-season, regardless of his latest comments. On the court his game is changing, will it last and can he improve on it from here who knows.

I don't disagree with you. I've been critical of JK in numerous posts. I just want Kerr to find a path to showcasing JK for trade. Kerr is the highest paid coach in the league, right? We aren't paying him just to coach Steph and Dray. If I'm Kerr, and JK says to the media that he doesn't want to talk to me, then I would bring that dude into my office the very next day. Re-open lines of communication. Find a path forward. Whether with Warriors or elsewhere, in every scenario for JK his future is improved by playing well this year. I think our vets have a role to play as well in talking to JK. One thing I noticed when JK came back he said not a single player on the Warriors ever contacted him to complain about how long he was taking. Smart.

[Twinkie defense]

It is Kerr's job to get the best out of JK and build his trade value.

I don't think so... Kerr's job is to win games. Maximize Steph Curry's impact, which wins games. He's not gonna let a side project like JK distract him from that. It's more JK's job to show Kerr that he can help win games.

[Twinkie defense]

I want him to do his job and coach up JK for better performance.

That's more on the developmental staff... Kerr cannot be focusing on JK.

[Larry Ellison]

It is Kerr's job to get the best out of JK and build his trade value.

I don't think so... Kerr's job is to win games. Maximize Steph Curry's impact, which wins games. He's not gonna let a side project like JK distract him from that. It's more JK's job to show Kerr that he can help win games.

I want him to do his job and coach up JK for better performance.

That's more on the developmental staff... Kerr cannot be focusing on JK.

I want him to do both. Are the two goals incompatible? A JK trade that returns good value could help win a championship this year. I can envision a scenario where the Warriors are winning and playing at peak level and JK has a consistent 20-25 minute role. JK is the primary backup to both Jimmy and Dray. We need him. We are a better team with him playing and producing. I am still a non-believer in JK long-term, but between the coaching staff and vets on the team, there has got to be a way to get a good half-season out of JK. Then let another team take the long-term risk.

[Onus]

I just want Kerr to find a path to showcasing JK for trade.

How do you propose to do that, which isn't already being done? They're literally giving him free reign on the 2nd unit. He is the no 1 option in those lineups and it hasn't looked good in the pre-season.

Kerr is the highest paid coach in the league, right? We aren't paying him just to coach Steph and Dray. If I'm Kerr, and JK says to the media that he doesn't want to talk to me, then I would bring that dude into my office the very next day. Re-open lines of communication. Find a path forward.

I'm really not sure which quote you're referring to. But his play on the court says that they have communicated.

[Onus]

It is Kerr's job to get the best out of JK and build his trade value.

I don't think so... Kerr's job is to win games. Maximize Steph Curry's impact, which wins games. He's not gonna let a side project like JK distract him from that. It's more JK's job to show Kerr that he can help win games.

I want him to do his job and coach up JK for better performance.

That's more on the developmental staff... Kerr cannot be focusing on JK.

I want him to do both. Are the two goals incompatible? A JK trade that returns good value could help win a championship this year. I can envision a scenario where the Warriors are winning and playing at peak level and JK has a consistent 20-25 minute role. JK is the primary backup to both Jimmy and Dray. We need him. We are a better team with him playing and producing. I am still a non-believer in JK long-term, but between the coaching staff and vets on the team, there has got to be a way to get a good half-season out of JK. Then let another team take the long-term risk.

JK is actually the 3rd pf on the team behind Jimmy and Dray. We don't actually need him to win in the regular season unless one of Jimmy or Dray are out, which will obviously happen at some point, but it's not some dire situation where our season hinges on how well JK does.

[wco81]

Kings are trying to trade Devin Carter.

Also said to be interested in signing Westbrook.

So the team drafts Carter #13 last year and then sign Schroeder in free agency and now may be signing Westbrook. That says a lot about how they look at a FRP in just his second year.

Probably wouldn't be surprised if he's outright cut. May struggle to get minutes, which is a really bad sign for a FRP only in his second season.

[East Bay Sports]

I know I am one of JK's only fans here but I think he has looked pretty good so far this preseason and Kerr should be happy with his play to this point.

If he keeps moving the ball quickly and being decisive when he does attack by drawing help and finding the open man he will be a positive player.

His passing this preseason has been underrated IMO.

If he maintained being a positive asset as a playmaker into the regular season I'd ease up on him a bit. But I don't buy it. He has a tendency to try and appease with passing but he really doesn't have the proper feel for it. Him racking up some easy assists in the preseason to try and show he's turned a corner is pretty on brand. I'd love to see him actually take a step forward in this area.