The Golden State Warriors entered the offseason facing uncertainty around forward Jonathan Kuminga, who will become a restricted free agent. Kuminga, 22, showed promise this past season by averaging 15.3 points in 24.3 minutes per game, but his role became unclear following an ankle injury that sidelined him for 31 games from early January to mid-March.
Upon Kuminga’s return, his minutes were sharply limited due to roster changes, particularly after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler in a February trade. This adjustment created a challenging situation for head coach Steve Kerr as he balanced playing time among key contributors.
Steve Kerr Weighs In On Kuminga’s Minutes and Team Strategy
Coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the complexity involved in managing minutes for a roster with several high-usage players. In a podcast interview with San Francisco Standard columnist Tim Kawakami, he expressed the difficulty in allocating significant time to Kuminga given the current lineup.
“It’s a tricky one because Jonathan obviously is gifted and wants to play a bigger role and wants to play more,”
Kerr said. He emphasized the challenge of balancing starter minutes when veterans like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler command large shares of playing time.
Kerr explained,
“For me, I’ve been asked to win,
”
adding,
“Right now, (Kuminga is) not a guy who I can say I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster that we have.”
He further pointed out that the puzzle pieces, including Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green, currently dictate how minutes are divided in pursuit of team success.
“Steph, Jimmy and Draymond put the puzzle together that way and expect to win,”
Kerr said.
“All I do is try to win. That doesn’t necessarily mean everybody will be happy, whether it’s the fans, the players or management.”
Draymond Green Responds: Defends Kerr but Disagrees on Kuminga’s Role
Despite supporting Kerr’s overall approach, Warriors forward Draymond Green offered a more optimistic view on Kuminga’s potential. Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, Green highlighted that Kerr’s comment was specifically about the existing roster’s fit rather than a criticism of Kuminga’s abilities.
“One being he said, ‘With this roster that we have, I’m not sure.’”
Green explained.
“He didn’t say that Jonathan Kuminga can’t play 38 minutes anywhere and that he couldn’t be a successful and impactful player to potentially reach his promise. He said with this roster.”
Green, 35, questioned whether enough evidence exists to conclude Kuminga can’t handle a larger role and suggested that more opportunities might reveal Kuminga’s true potential.
“I don’t know that I necessarily agree because you just haven’t seen it,”
he said.
“And so, I’m not of the mindset that something just doesn’t work that you haven’t had a chance to see much of.”
He also acknowledged Kerr’s readiness to make tough decisions despite criticism, recalling a previous controversial move when Kerr chose not to play Jayson Tatum during the Olympics.
“We’re talking about the same legend that didn’t play Jayson Tatum in the Olympics and dealt with all the flack that came with that,”
Green remarked.
Green Advises Kuminga to Handle Public Statements with Caution
Though Green does not fully agree with Kerr’s current usage of Kuminga, he understands the constraints and encourages Kuminga to be thoughtful about his next steps. He urged Kuminga to prioritize what benefits his career long-term, especially during the sensitive free agency period.
“But if you’re (Kuminga), you have to make the best decision for you,”
Green said.
“You gotta put yourself in the best position that you could put yourself in.”
He warned Kuminga to exercise caution in publicly responding to Kerr’s remarks, emphasizing Kerr’s respected status and the risks of missteps.
“In this situation, (Kuminga) got to be careful because Steve Kerr’s the legend and one of the greatest coaches we’ve seen,”
Green cautioned.
“He could say something, but it could be the wrong thing. He could only lose here.”
Regarding the next steps, Green added,
“If I’m (Kuminga) and I’m in his shoes, I heard it, and I need to move accordingly.”
Implications for the Warriors’ Offseason and Future Lineup
The contrasting views between Kerr and Green illustrate the broader tensions involved in the Warriors’ roster decisions during this offseason. With Kuminga’s restricted free agent status and fluctuating playing time, the team must carefully consider how to balance development with immediate competitiveness.
Kerr’s focus on winning while managing minutes among core stars creates a challenging environment for younger players competing for larger roles. Green’s perspective highlights potential for Kuminga to emerge as a key contributor if given expanded opportunities.
How the Warriors address Kuminga’s future role, including his minutes and potential contract, will be critical in shaping the team’s trajectory. Fans and analysts will watch closely as free agency progresses and the Warriors finalize their roster heading into the next season.