SHOCK: Warriors Senior Leader Suddenly Resigns, Reveals Kuminga Scandal That No One Ever Knew About!
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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob looks on during Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob’s son Kent Lacob has quit the team, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic reports.
After climbing the ranks to become the Warriors’ vice president of basketball development, the younger Lacob has stepped down in what his father described as a ballsy move.
“Well, that took some balls,” Joe Lacob was quoted as telling his son, according to The Athletic.
The Warriors’ owner did not see it coming, but his father’s instincts took over, The Athletic report added.
But the most startling part of the story is that Kent quit without a backup plan, but was driven by his desire to get out of his father’s empire and forge his own path.
“I’m very curious about what else, what other type of perspective I can gain from stepping outside of that,” Kent told The Athletic. “I understand how it’s attractive in many ways. Yeah, it’s very comfortable. And I’m incredibly fortunate to have this. Not by my own doing. But I have stepped into a world that just put me in this situation to have all this around me. I’m incredibly grateful for it. But I also don’t think that it necessarily gives me a fully robust perspective on life and what it is that I ultimately am going to want when I, like, reflect on what I did with my life.”
Overcoming Nepotism Criticisms
Getty (R-L) Laurie Lacob, Kent Lacob, Kelly Lacob and Kayei Lacob arrive at the premiere of ‘The Hot Flashes’ at ArcLight Cinemas on June 27, 2013 in Hollywood, California.
Kent is leaving his dream job and comfort zone, which also provoked nepotism talk that made him uncomfortable at the same time, but also challenged him.
“When you’re my kids,” Joe Lacob told The Athletic, “you worry about the nepotism charges, and I understand it. I’ve been on the other side. I know what it’s like to look at the rich kid growing up with all of the advantages and whatever. So I understand why people say stuff like that. Now, I know my kids aren’t that way.”
Kent climbed the NBA ladder, starting in the G League as the Santa Cruz Warriors general manager.
According to The Athletic, some of Kent’s front office moves include helping find and develop Juan Toscano-Anderson, swinging and missing on Alen Smailagić, and rallying for the signing of Gary Payton II.
Warriors-Kuminga Stalemate
Getty ImagesJonathan Kuminga remains mum on his future.
Kent Lacob leaves the Warriors’ organization, which is at an inflection point.
They are the only team that has not added a player of league experience this offseason as they await the resolution of their ongoing stalemate with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
The Warriors have deals lined up for league veterans, according to multiple reports, which include Payton, whom Kent Lacob strongly lobbied in the past.
However, they can not make a move until Kuminga accepts their offer to get a better look at their salary books.
Kuminga and the Warriors “haven’t had contact for a couple of weeks,” according to Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.
The Warriors’ standing offer of a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option on the second year remains. The deal on the table also includes a stipulation that Kuminga relinquishes the inherent no-trade clause.
On the other hand, Kuminga wants a player option on the second year of the deal.
Who will blink first?
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo