After a long summer filled with contract negotiations and trade speculation, Jonathan Kuminga is making one thing clear — he and Steve Kerr are on the same page.
Speaking to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, Kuminga said he’s focused solely on growth and winning, not on the chatter that surrounded him during the offseason.
“I wouldn’t want to be the problem to mess it up,” he said. “I’m growing. I’m in my fifth year now. I know what winning means. And I know what I want to get — winning a championship.”
“There is no bad blood or anything like that. I don’t think there was ever bad blood. It’s just all the narrative, all the talking around outside. But we’re good. We’re good.”
(San Francisco Standard)
A New Chapter in Golden State
The comments mark a full-circle moment for Kuminga, who spent much of last season frustrated by his fluctuating role after Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler. At times, he fell out of Kerr’s rotation entirely, leading to widespread speculation about a possible trade.
Instead, the 23-year-old forward signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal ahead of the 2025–26 season and earned a spot in Kerr’s starting lineup. The results have been immediate — through five games, Kuminga is averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per night while shooting 43.8% from three.
It’s a major leap for a player who connected on just 30.5% of his triples last season. That outside touch, paired with improved decision-making, has helped him become a more complete offensive weapon.
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Praises Kuminga’s Growth
Getty Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors speaks with head coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr has noticed the difference. The Warriors head coach praised Kuminga’s maturity and defensive versatility, saying the young forward has embraced every challenge so far.
“He’ll be our starter going forward,” Kerr told reporters. “He’s been fantastic. Last night we put him on Ja [Morant]. Tonight, we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready to take on that role defensively.”
Kerr also pointed out how Kuminga’s refined shot selection and unselfishness have changed the team’s dynamic.
“We’ve hardly seen any of the mid-shot-clock 17-foot pull-ups,” Kerr said. “He’s much more focused on getting the ball to Jimmy, getting the ball to Steph, attacking the rim. He’s really putting a lot of pressure on people.” (San Francisco Standard)
The chemistry between Draymond Green, Butler, and Kuminga — something that was shaky last season — has also started to click. Kerr credited that improvement to Kuminga’s growth as a passer and his understanding of the game’s flow.
Kuminga’s Confidence Growing
For the Warriors, Kuminga’s progress represents both patience and payoff. After years of development and occasional tension, he’s now playing with confidence and purpose — and helping the team to a 4–1 start.
Golden State’s veteran core remains centered around Stephen Curry, Butler, and Green, but Kuminga’s emergence has injected fresh energy into the group. His blend of athleticism, defense, and now reliable perimeter shooting makes him the kind of modern forward every contender needs.
There may have been questions about his fit in the past, but five games into the new season, Kuminga has answered most of them — and silenced the noise about “bad blood” with his coach.
The Warriors’ Bottom Line
Kuminga’s rise is one of the brightest storylines in Golden State’s early campaign. Once on the trade block, he’s now finding his footing as a key piece of the rotation — proof that patience and development can still pay off in a franchise defined by its stars.
And for Kerr and the Warriors, that might be the most encouraging sign of all.
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