Despite being viewed as one of the Golden State Warriors’ highest-upside young players, Jonathan Kuminga’s role fluctuated throughout the 2024-25 NBA regular season and playoffs. As Kuminga approaches restricted free agency, Kerr reflected on the fourth-year forward’s frustration with his inconsistent playing time and their work-in-progress relationship.
Kuminga struggled to see the floor early in Golden State’s 12-game postseason run. He only appeared in three outings during his squad’s seven-game first-round series victory over the Houston Rockets. Kerr prioritized shooting, defensive versatility, and veteran experience over Kuminga’s athleticism, with many pointing to the 22-year-old’s questionable decision-making.
After superstar point guard Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring injury early in Game 1 of the Warriors’ five-game second-round defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuminga re-entered Kerr’s rotation. While he averaged a team-best 20.8 points per game across five contests, his production didn’t translate to team success. Kuminga finished the series with a minus-37 plus-minus, fueling questions about his future.
Steve Kerr on His Differences With Jonathan Kuminga
Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” on Thursday, Kerr was asked if Golden State’s coaching staff disagreed with Kuminga about how he should play. Kerr dismissed the notion of an internal conflict, citing their differing perspectives.
“I don’t think there’s a disagreement. I think that there is maybe a different view from his perspective and what he’s comfortable doing,” Kerr said.
"I don't think there's a disagreement. I think that there is maybe a different view, from his perspective and what he's comfortable doing."
Steve Kerr after @WillardAndDibs asked if there's a disagreement between Warriors staff and Jonathan Kuminga in terms of how he should be…
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame)
The veteran coach added that he and Kuminga have maintained open communication as they seek to help him find his stride with the Warriors.
“I think the number one thing is that JK and I have a very good relationship. We talk all the time,” Kerr said. “We like each other. This is all just basketball. This is not a case of JK coming in saying, ‘Hey, I got to get out of here. I want this. I want that.’ This is just trying to make this fit and trying to make this work.”
.@WillardAndDibs: “Does Kuminga want to stay a Warrior?”
Kerr: "I think the number one thing is that, JK and I have a very good relationship. We talk all the time. We like each other. This is all just basketball. This is not a case of JK coming in saying, ‘Hey, I got to get out… pic.twitter.com/q8oJcFkLNQ
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame)
Kerr Says Kuminga Isn’t a Winning Player Yet
Kerr’s comments on the status of his dynamic with Kuminga came a day after he highlighted the youngster’s need to become a winning player.
“It’s a tricky one because Jonathan Kuminga obviously is gifted and wants to play a bigger role and wants to play more,” Kerr said, via The San Francisco Standard. “And for me, I’ve been asked to win. And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster that we have — Steph and Jimmy [Butler] and Draymond [Green] — and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”
Kerr then laid out a blueprint for the 2021 No. 7 pick to become a high-impact starter. He suggested that Kuminga would benefit from molding his game after past and present NBA champion two-way forwards Shawn Marion and Aaron Gordon.
Kerr noted that Kuminga is best suited for getting out in transition, crashing the glass, dunking, and playing lockdown defense rather than being a high-usage offensive player.
As such, Kuminga could be drawn by the allure of a larger offensive role on another team in restricted free agency.
