“He is a freak talent”: Austin Rivers expresses frustration over Warriors burying Jonathan Kuminga on the bench

Austin Rivers isn't holding back. The former NBA guard and current analyst has officially gone scorched earth on the Golden State Warriors regarding their treatment of Jonathan Kuminga. He called the situation complete bulls**t and suggested that the rift between the player and head coach Steve Kerr has become personal. Rivers, who recently joined the NBA on NBC team, argued that Kuminga is a 20-point per game caliber player being left on the Warriors team bench is just wasting talent when they desperately need his athleticism. The outburst came following Kuminga’s official demand for a trade on January 15, 2026, the very first day he became eligible to be moved under his current contract. Despite flashes of stardom, including a stretch last season where he consistently put up 20-plus points, Kuminga hasn’t been given a chance to step on the court since mid-December.Austin Rivers on his latest podcast episode, expressed his frustration that mirrors the NBA fans: how does a team struggling for consistency justify blacking out its young talent? He said, “The way they have treated Kuminga is something that I haven’t seen in quite a while. All right, this is a 20-point per game caliber player. I know this because he’s done it. When guys were hurt, he literally averaged 20 plus for a month and some change. I’m not making this up, this happened. All right, last year that he was in and out of the lineup, didn’t even play in the playoffs, then they bring him in one game off the bench, he scores 30. All right? In a playoff game!”"He is a freak talent and athlete," Rivers declared on his podcast. "How the hell can this guy not get a minute on Warriors team? It drives me crazy.”Kuminga’s stats back up his potential but in the past month his saw his role demand evaporate that buried him deep in the rotation game. After starting in the first 12 games, he was abruptly pushed back and eventually was removed from the rotation. For a team often criticized for being too small and aging, the refusal to play a 6'7" wing with elite verticality remains one of the league's biggest head-scratchers.The core of the issue, according to Rivers, isn't basketball, it's personal. Rivers hinted at knowing things behind the scenes between Kuminga and Kerr, and suggested the bridge has been burned beyond repair. Kerr’s recent comments, describing the situation as difficult and unfortunate while noting that nobody's winning, only reinforced the idea that a break between the two is inevitable. With the February 5 trade deadline looming, the Warriors are now on the clock. The current environment has become toxic for Kuminga, and he is looking for a restart button. As Rivers pointed out, it’s a waste to keep a young, talented player on the sidelines, so hopefully Kuminga will join a roster where his talents and presence are respected and appreciated. Also read: ‘He’s been incredible’: Draymond Green backs Jonathan Kuminga’s professionalism following trade demand