Well, the Golden State Warriors did it. They traded Jonathan Kuminga. Many were embracing that this ongoing saga would drag even further than it already had, but they did it. And now that’s resolved once and for all, now they can give their own two cents on the situation.
What Did Steve Kerr Have to Say About Jonathan Kuminga?
After the Warriors traded Kuminga, Kerr gave his two cents on the matter while talking with ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
“I think it was a tough situation for everybody, given how raw he was when he got here and given when we were playing for championships,” Kerr said. “He needed the runway to make more mistakes. He needed experience for being in the NBA and understanding what it was about. For him, it was very tough not being allowed to make those mistakes. For us as a staff, it was tricky trying to develop him while we were trying to win. I think it’s as simple as that.”
Kerr also made it clear that the Warriors trading him was not personal. “Everybody liked him. I liked him. He’s a really good guy. Very personable. Well-liked in the locker room. Just a tough fit.”
Steve Kerr to ESPN on Jonathan Kuminga: “He needed the runway to make more mistakes…It was very tough not being allowed to make those mistakes. For us as a staff, it was tricky trying to develop him while we were trying to win. I think it’s as simple as that.”
Full quote pic.twitter.com/WNneAegbaP
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 5, 2026
Okay, this is all well and good from Kerr. It’s nice to see that even though he didn’t trust Kuminga, he believes in what he could be long-term. However, his words beg one question that’s been begged for some time: if he’s not ready yet, why’s he still on the team?
The Warriors have Stephen freaking Curry, and should have done everything in their power to avoid fumbling such a rare opportunity. Ever since the Kevin Durant era ended, Golden State has had a really rough time building the right team around Curry. Yes, they won the title in 2022, but it felt like the stars aligned for that to happen.
More succinctly, it was lightning in a bottle. If this is how Kerr and co. truly felt about Kuminga, they should have traded him for more win-now help. Okay, they did, but it took them long enough.
This is a situation that should have been resolved a long time ago, and putting it off did neither Kuminga nor them any favors.
