After a tense offseason clouded by contract uncertainty, Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is back in the fold, remains non-committal on his future, but he’s eager to contribute and keep his focus on the present.
“I’m here now,” Kuminga told reporters in his first public interview since signing a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option on the second year and a 15% trade kicker. “That’s everybody’s goal, to be somewhere longer. You never know how your future will be determined. So far, I think that’s my goal and that’s what I want to accomplish: being here for longer.”
Future Still Uncertain
While the Warriors and Kuminga have agreed on a deal, the question of whether he will remain in Golden State beyond Jan. 15 — when his trade restriction is lifted — still lingers. The team rejected sign-and-trade offers for him this offseason, a move that hints they want him to stay.
“I would say so,” Kuminga said. “Based on me being back here. At the end of the day, let’s see where this takes us. But my focus is this year pushing and actually helping us win. You never know what’s going to happen, but I’m happy, glad to be back.”
Kuminga’s camp initially pushed for a player option, aiming for more control over his immediate future. The two sides ultimately agreed on a deal with $15 million more guaranteed than the $7.9 million qualifying offer, which would have allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The standoff delayed the signings of other free-agent targets and affected the start of the Warriors’ training camp.
Settling Into the Team
Kuminga reported to practice on the third day after signing the contract, bringing an air of relief to a team eager to move forward.
“It’s a business,” Kuminga said. “At the end of the day, all that matters is we got it done and I’m excited to be here.”
Golden State coach Steve Kerr outlined Kuminga’s role clearly, emphasizing both opportunity and expectation.
“There’s no denying that there’s a place for him on this team,” Kerr said. “We don’t have that big athletic wing player like he represents. But the fact is, we’re going to run our offense through Steph [Curry] and Jimmy [Butler] for obvious reasons. They’re two of the best players in the league. They create opportunities for other players. So JK, the more he can defend with activity, rebound, and run the floor, the better chance he has to play.”
Balancing Ambition and Team Needs
Kuminga’s desire for a larger role is well-documented, and his agent has made it clear that the forward wants to expand his opportunities. Kerr, however, stressed that the path to consistent minutes is straightforward: embrace the role, excel in it, and the opportunities will follow.
“Everybody progresses at a different rate,” Kerr said. “Things can click. There are going to be times this year when we have to get him the ball and run the offense through him. We have an older team, and there will be games where Steph is out, Jimmy’s out, maybe both. We’re going to ask JK to do what we ask every player to do: commit to whatever it takes to win the game.”
Kuminga said he is prepared to put personal ambitions aside for the team’s championship push.
“Just helping us win,” he said. “Finding a way to help us win on both ends. Defense, offense, find a way to be a piece that’s going to help us win games and hopefully a championship. If it’s on defense, if it’s an assignment, just go guard the best player. Today, we need you to score. Today, we need you to guard certain people. That’s what I’m looking forward to, and I’m open-minded to it.”
With Kuminga back and a clear understanding of his role, the Warriors hope the 22-year-old’s talent and energy can help propel them toward another championship run.
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