After a roller-coaster first four seasons filled with flashes of brilliance and frustration, Jonathan Kuminga has finally found stability with the Golden State Warriors — and no one is happier than Steve Kerr.
Kerr Praises Kuminga’s Growth and Maturity
“The thing I’m really happy about is just the maturity,” Kerr told Willard and Dibs on 95.7 The Game on Friday. “His growth. Our conversations have been great. He really seems to be embracing the role we’re asking of him — the rebounding, guarding the ball, and figuring out how to play next to Jimmy [Butler] and Draymond [Green]. It’s been wonderful to see, and I’m thrilled for JK.”
Kuminga’s emergence has been one of the early-season bright spots for the Warriors, who have climbed above .500 behind balanced contributions across their lineup. The 23-year-old forward has started in all six games and become a fixture in Kerr’s new rotation alongside Stephen Curry, Butler, and Green.
From Question Mark to Key Starter
Kuminga is currently the Warriors’ third-leading scorer, averaging 17.5 points per game, trailing only Curry (27.0) and Butler (21.7). He has scored in double figures in five of Golden State’s first six games, proving his consistency as both a scorer and defender.
“He’ll be our starter going forward,” Kerr said before the Warriors’ 98-79 win over the Clippers earlier this week. “He’s been fantastic. [Monday] night, we put him on Ja [Morant]. [Tuesday night], we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready.”
Kuminga responded to the challenge, holding Harden to just 1-of-3 shooting as his primary defender. He followed that performance with 24 points in Thursday’s loss to Milwaukee.
Commitment to Defense and Rebounding Unlocks New Level
While Kuminga’s athleticism and offensive upside were never in question, it’s his defensive discipline and rebounding that have solidified his starting role.
Kuminga currently leads the Warriors with 7.5 rebounds per game, a massive leap from his previous career high of 4.8.
“The way he’s rebounding, the way he’s attacking the rim — that’s what makes him special,” Kerr said on Tuesday. “When he’s playing to that talent, to that ability, it changes our team.”
Kerr added that Kuminga’s decision-making and shot selection have evolved significantly: “You’ve hardly seen any of the mid-shot clock 17-foot pullups. You’re seeing him being much more purposeful — getting the ball to Jimmy, getting the ball to Steph, attacking the rim. It’s just really clicking.”
Kuminga Rewards Warriors’ Offseason Gamble
Kuminga’s improvement comes months after tense contract negotiations that tested his relationship with the franchise. The Warriors eventually signed him to a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option for the second year — a structure that gives the organization future flexibility if they pursue major trades or cap restructuring.
Last summer, Kerr openly admitted that finding minutes for Kuminga had been difficult given the team’s veteran core.
“Jonathan obviously is gifted and wants to play a bigger role,” Kerr told The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami in May. “And for me, I’ve been asked to win. With Steph and Jimmy and Draymond, that puzzle was hard to fit.”
Now, Kuminga is averaging a career-best 30.8 minutes per game and thriving in the role he once fought to earn.
Once viewed as a possible trade piece, Kuminga is proving that he’s not just part of the Warriors’ present but potentially their future. His improved maturity, versatility, and buy-in have turned him into one of the team’s most important two-way players — and a symbol of the Warriors’ next chapter.
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