Overview
- ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported a Dec. 10 office meeting about a missed team event and family-room food complaints that ended with Steve Kerr slamming a whiteboard as both sides aired grievances.
- After subsequent benchings, Jonathan Kuminga declined three mop‑up opportunities and ruled himself out of the Jan. 2 game in Oklahoma City with back soreness, which team figures viewed as quitting according to the reporting.
- Accounts summarized from ESPN indicate owner Joe Lacob resisted earlier trade proposals, including a discussed Alex Caruso deal, which delayed a move for Kuminga.
- Longstanding internal splits traced to the 2021 draft persisted, with some staff favoring Franz Wagner while then‑assistant Kenny Atkinson and Lacob backed Kuminga.
- Golden State traded Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis on Feb. 5; Kuminga has not debuted for Atlanta due to a Jan. 22 left‑knee bone bruise and will be reevaluated after the All‑Star break.