Rashad McCants Drags Michael Jordan’s Treatment of Steve Kerr Amid Warriors Drama

Former NBA player Rashad McCants believes the Jonathan Kuminga situation is Steve Kerr's fault.

Rashad McCants Drags Michael Jordan’s Treatment of Steve Kerr Amid Warriors Drama

Rashad McCants on Steve Kerr (Image credits - Firstsportz)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

After NBA reporter Shams Charania reported that Jonathan Kuminga requested a trade last night, as he is eligible to be moved from Thursday, there have been reports that his relationship with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is now irreparable. It appears that the player’s relationship with the franchise has finally run its course.

After being drafted as the seventh pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Jonathan Kuminga tasted success early in his career when the Warriors won the 2022 NBA Championship in his debut season, but Kuminga did not play any significant role in their championship run.

Known for his explosiveness and athleticism, many believed Kuminga would bring a different dimension to the Warriors’ play. Unfortunately, things did not pan out the way Kuminga and the Warriors expected.

There was a lot of drama surrounding Kuminga’s future in the offseason, and clubs were interested in his services. However, the 23-year-old signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension with the team. The Congolese forward was a regular starter for the first 13 games of the 2025-26 campaign, and it finally looked like he had found his place in the lineup and won the trust of head coach Steve Kerr.

An ankle injury ruled him out for a few weeks, and he was restricted to a bench role on his return. But after December 18, the young star has not featured in any of the Warriors’ 14 games. Before being phased out from the team, Kuminga was averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 18 appearances this season.

Former NBA player Rashad McCants is well known for his outlandish statements. On Gil’s Arena, McCants blamed the whole Kuminga situation on Kerr, whom he said has not handled adversity well during his tenure with the Warriors.

He swept the Kevin Durant thing under the rug. He swept the Jordan Poole thing under the rug. I think he swept the Klay Thompson thing under the rug, too. But right now, I blame Steve Kerr. I do not like the dude. I understand why MJ put his hands on him. I understand a hundred percent, man. This is not cool. And to see it run out the way it has, it just doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t like it.

McCants’ reference to Michael Jordan punching Kerr was unexpected. The famous Jordan’s punch on Kerr took place in 1995 during a heated Chicago Bulls practice scrimmage. Things got heated between the two, and Kerr was left with a black eye, but in the end, it strengthened their relationship and trust.

Isiah Thomas believes Steve Kerr is killing Jonathan Kuminga’s confidence

It is unfortunate that the Dubs nation could not see the best of Kuminga and his full potential. It has definitely been frustrating for the young forward to not play at all, but he has handled the situation well and not created any distractions in the locker-room

Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Champion Isiah Thomas credited Kuminga on the “Run it Back” show for the way he has been throughout this tough period and blamed Kerr for hurting his confidence.

That’s got to mess with your mind. And for him to come out, if he comes out of this situation, you’re only as good as your confidence is. If you’re confident as a player, then that takes you to another level. I don’t know where his confidence level is at. It’s got to be a lot lower than before. Because I know if it was me or any other NBA player, by now, we Latrell Sprewell, we chokin’ the coach.

It is a fall from grace for Kuminga after his breakout 2023-24 campaign, where he averaged a career-high 16.1 points in 74 appearances. The Latrell Sprewell choke Thomas mentioned was an infamous incident where former NBA player Sprewell snapped and choked Warriors head coach PJ Carlesimo after a verbal argument during practice.

Steve Kerr claims his relationship with Jonathan Kuminga is fine

There have been some tensions between Kuminga and Kerr during the offseason. The Congolese international was looking for a bigger role in the team’s offense, and it did seem to look like it at first, but Kerr decided to change his lineup and schemes, which resulted in completely phasing Kuminga out.

Jonathan Kuminga and Steve Kerr
Jonathan Kuminga (Left) and Steve Kerr (Right) (Image credits – MARCA)

After hearing the news of Kuminga’s trade request, Kerr was asked about the whole situation.

Our relationship is fine. There’s not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is. Difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league, part of the job. So, we just keep moving forward.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Kuminga. While the whole situation with the Warriors did turn messy in the end, a change in scenery is much needed for the forward as he enters the prime of his career.

Also Read: