Warriors insist Kuminga situation 'not a distraction'

The Golden State Warriors' veteran core insists that Jonathan Kuminga's reported trade request isn't causing an issue during the team's current surge.

"Everyone around here can confidently say it won't be a distraction because he is not a distraction," Draymond Green told ESPN's Anthony Slater following Thursday's 126-113 victory over the New York Knicks.

"He's dealing with it probably better than I would," Green joked during Amazon Prime's postgame coverage. "The way he's dealt with this at 23 years old, I tip my hat to him because he's stayed engaged."

The Warriors have won 10 of their last 14 contests and are 4-1 on their current homestand, putting them two games back of the Houston Rockets for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Kuminga reportedly demanded a trade Thursday, the first day he was eligible to get dealt after signing a two-year, $48.5-million deal last September. He hasn't played in the last 14 games.

"It's a very unique situation," Steph Curry told Slater. "Our job is to keep playing, keep winning. It'll resolve itself one way or the other."

Golden State's experienced players have publicly vouched for Kuminga amid his protracted impasse with the organization. That group includes Jimmy Butler, who's advocated for the fifth-year forward on numerous occasions.

"We love JK in this locker room," Butler said Thursday. "That's not going to change. If that happens to not be in here, we still rock with JK. That's for everybody. I wish him the best here. I wish him the best wherever."

Asked if he wanted the Warriors to deal Kuminga, Butler responded, "It ain't got nothing to do with me. I want JK to be happy. At the end of the day, that's what I want. Whatever brings him his joy and his happiness, that's what I want."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr was more tight-lipped about Kuminga's future and was seen speaking with him ahead of the victory over the Knicks. Kerr called it a "difficult situation," adding that he would keep the details of his discussion with Kuminga private.

The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks reportedly have the most interest in acquiring Kuminga. The Los Angeles Lakers apparently also have some interest in the former seventh overall pick ahead of the deadline Feb. 5.