The Warriors‘ best midseason move might’ve just wrecked Jonathan Kuminga’s chances in Golden State. When Jimmy Butler showed up in February, Kuminga was nursing an ankle sprain—and the team evolved without him. Even after his return, Steve Kerr barely looked his way. Honestly, it feels like Kerr had already made up his mind. Kuminga’s now stuck behind Butler, Moody, GP2, Buddy Hield, and even Gui Santos. And with Butler playing 44 minutes a night? There’s barely any leftovers.
Remember that wild collapse back in November when the Warriors blew a 31-point lead to Houston without Steph? Yeah, that one. But in the chaos, Kuminga had his breakout moment. He bulldozed Jalen Green, hit a slick turnaround, and flew in for a lefty layup like he owned the court.
Unless he does something like this again, he might play against the Rockets. Long term? Kuminga’s probably out. Kerr’s not holding minutes for a guy who hasn’t figured out how to click with Steph and Jimmy. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t mince words when discussing Jonathan Kuminga’s limited role during a recent appearance on Willard & Dibs.
“I have to read what we need. I have to read who’s playing well together,” Kerr said. “And to be very frank, the Jimmy / JK (Kuminga) combination has not been great and that’s the tricky part here.”
Kerr emphasized Butler’s value, even pointing to him as the biggest reason the Warriors clawed their way into the postseason.
“And I’m playing Jimmy 40 minutes a night because Jimmy is, he’s one of the very best players in the league. And there’s a reason we’re here and we’re in the seventh seed… And the reason is Jimmy.”
Ultimately, Kerr made it clear that his decisions are about giving the Warriors the best shot at winning.
“So my job as a coach is to keep the team on a path that I think gives us the best chance to win. And for now, that’s why I’ve been leaning into the lineups that I have.”
This is a developing story…
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