Jonathan Kuminga sounds like a man tired of waiting for answers. Speaking with reporters, the Warriors forward admitted he’s stopped asking head coach Steve Kerr about his role on the team, saying he already knows what the response would be and doesn’t see a point in wasting energy on it.
“I don’t ask [Kerr] about roles because I know what he is going to tell me,” Kuminga told Andscape. “I don’t waste my energy. I choose not to ask because nobody is going to tell me. It’s whatever. You just have to find ways to do things when you get out there. Make plays, defend. I don’t have a consistent role. I just play a role where I make sure I play defense and run the floor.”
Kuminga has been at odds with Kerr for months now, going back to last season during the height of their struggles. It all boiled over this offseason, in the form of aggressive contract negotiations. Besides financial compensation, Kuminga was seeking a long-term contract with a player option for his final year. Instead, he had to settle on a two-year, $46.8 million contract with a team option for the 2026-27 season.
“Not too many contract [negotiations] get to go this far,” Kuminga added. “It’s very impossible to see that. But as I got to it and learned more about the business, it kind of helped me see the business from a different side, but in a good way. I learned so much [about] how things go. Just be patient.”
Kuminga’s standoff was one of the major stories of the summer, and many executives were shocked to see an unproven bench player take things so far. He let things drag out into October, keeping communication at a minimum with the Warriors while he put the pressure on. He demanded control of his future and kept the Warriors in limbo all summer long.
Now that he’s returned, Jonathan Kuminga is doing his best to comply but it’s clear that he’s still not on great terms with the Warriors. Specifically, it seems he’s still uncertain about his role under head coach Steve Kerr. Last season, his place in the rotation fluctuated at Kerr’s whim and it seems he could do nothing right in his eyes. From DNPs to sudden benchings, Kuminga grew frustrated with the short leash and felt that his game was being held back by the same team that drafted him.
If Kuminga had it his way, he’d be with the Sacramento Kings right now with a clean slate and a chance to start over. Outside of the shadow of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, he might be able to finally live up to his true potential.
For now, Kuminga is saying all the right things and keeping his focus on helping the Warriors win. But beneath the surface, there’s still tension that could resurface if his minutes or role don’t improve. He’s too talented to be stuck in limbo, and at some point, Golden State will have to decide if he’s part of their long-term future or just another piece waiting to be moved.
