Tension is once again building between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, with the two sides seemingly at a stalemate. From the moment the forward was trade-eligible on January 15, his relationship with Steve Kerr came under the microscope. Reports of a “fractured” relationship, coupled with the coach’s recent cryptic statements, have created uncertainty around a potential trade.

Before the Warriors hosted the New York Knicks, Kerr steered away from the negative Kuminga rumors.

“Our relationship is fine,” the Warriors coach said. “There’s not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It’s just is what it is, difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league, part of the job, just keep moving forward. Tough situation, I don’t really have much to add.”

However, Kerr was pressed about the talk he had with Kuminga, who arrived at practice that morning. But he kept mum about it.

“[It’s] pure business, we talked this morning, and that’s all private,” Kerr clarified.

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But what really raised eyebrows was his prediction for the team after the deadline. Until last week, the Warriors coach remained vague, hinting that Kuminga’s departure was likely, but tonight he said otherwise.

“I will keep coaching him, he’s part of the team, and he’ll be here, and it is what it is,” Kerr said.

For over a month, Kuminga has been out of the Warriors’ active rotation, which has drawn backlash from former NBA players, analysts, and fans.

Charania, who has been the most credible source in the Kuminga trade drama, confirmed that the player’s relationship with the front office is “non-existent” at this point. He then confirmed the coach-player relationship had “completely deteriorated.”

This was right before Kerr’s presser, and observers are inclined to believe Charania over Kerr, given what they’re seeing.

Jonathan Kuminga is heading for disappointment at the trade deadline

The summer contract Jonathan Kuminga signed deemed him trade-eligible mid-January, and he made his intent to leave loud and clear immediately on Thursday. Everyone saw it coming after Kerr kept a $22 million asset on the bench.

As the fourth-highest-paid player on the team this season has “basically been banished,” as Charania put it, Kuminga’s trade value dropped.

The Warriors are looking at expiring contracts, not multi-year deals, in return.

However, the front office might once again deny Kuminga’s trade request. They were reluctant to trade him in the offseason because Joe Lacob and the veterans on the team are attached to the 23-year-old. And despite Kerr not betting on the youngster’s potential, the team still wants to keep him.

“The Warriors’ decision-makers have also given zero assurances to any team that Kuminga will be traded prior to the deadline, despite the desires and dynamics at play, believing it could prove better business to push the decision to the summer,” Charania reported.

Apparently, GMs across the league are calling the Dubs’ bluff. The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks are the frontrunners in the Kuminga sweepstakes. But talks have reportedly stalled because they can’t offer a wing on a short-term salary.

Another Bay Area insider, Nick Friedell, reported that the Warriors won’t “move him to move him.”

The team wants a trade to recoup assets, and as it stands, they could lose more than they gain by trading Kuminga.

If the Warriors’ front office is reluctant to sell low, Kerr could be right. He’d still be Kuminga’s coach after the deadline.