Warriors Coach Reveals Challenge in Integrating Jonathan Kuminga

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jonathan Kuminga is finding it difficult to reclaim his spot in the Golden State Warriors lineup since returning from an ankle injury on March 13. The Warriors’ recent acquisition of Jimmy Butler has further complicated his playing time, forcing Kuminga to navigate an evolving roster dynamic.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr addressed the situation during a press conference on Thursday. He acknowledged that Butler’s introduction has taken significant minutes away from Kuminga, who is still working to determine his role amidst the shifting rotations. “Every game is different, and I think Jimmy’s arrival took away a lot of Jonathan’s minutes at the four,” Kerr told reporters. “There’s no doubt that as soon as Jimmy arrived, we leaned into the lineup combinations that enhanced Jimmy because we were winning.”

Kerr elaborated on the Warriors’ performance since Butler joined the team, noting they went on a streak of 17 wins to just three losses while Kuminga was sidelined. However, the integration of Butler, Kuminga, and Draymond Green in the same lineup has not proven effective. “The lineup with Jimmy, Jonathan, and Draymond doesn’t fit real well, frankly,” Kerr said. “We need more spacing, and we’ve found other lineups that have clicked.”

In the first 32 games of the season before his injury, Kuminga averaged 16.8 points in 26.0 minutes per game. Since his return, those figures have dropped to 12.4 points in just 21.1 minutes over 14 games. Kerr emphasized that adjustments will be a necessary part of the process. “Jonathan’s done a great job,” he said. “He’s working hard, he’s playing well when he’s out there. But I’m just going with the lineup combinations that I think are going to give us the best chance to win.”

Kerr’s comments reflect an ongoing strategy to place Kuminga in lineups where he can thrive. The coach highlighted that despite his challenges, Kuminga’s contributions are still valuable, especially on the defensive end. Green praised Kuminga’s willingness to embrace tough defensive matchups, an area critical to the Warriors’ success. “He was asking for those matchups,” Green noted. “That says a lot. We challenged him to step up on the defensive end, and he did that.”

The situation is urgent as the Warriors make a push for the playoffs. Kuminga’s potential is significant, but his ability to mesh with stars like Butler and Green is under scrutiny. With next season drawing near, Kuminga faces uncertainty as he approaches restricted free agency.

The Warriors currently owe about $150 million to their core players, including Stephen Curry, Butler, Green, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield. Management faces a challenging decision on how to manage the salary cap while considering what Kuminga’s market rate might be. Kerr highlighted the pressing nature of the current roster makeup. “We’ve had more leeway with lineup decisions than most other teams,” Kerr said. “But we’re in a unique position right now.”

As the season progresses, the Warriors must find a way to effectively utilize Kuminga’s talents. He is a powerful forward capable of transforming game dynamics but requires specific conditions to excel—conditions that may not always be available. The combination of Kuminga, Butler, and Green has so far led to a net rating deficit, as they have been outscored by nearly 30 points during their time on the court together.

The Warriors organization values Kuminga’s potential but recognizes that his fit with key players may not align perfectly. “Kuminga is a unique talent,” said Kerr. “We see a future for him, but it’s critical to figure out how he can best contribute alongside our core.”

With the playoffs approaching, the Warriors hope to harness the strengths of each player. The success of this campaign could ultimately dictate the future roles within the team, for Kuminga and others.