“I have to read what we need. I have to read who’s playing well together, and to be very frank, the Jimmy (Butler), JK (Kuminga) combination has not been great and that’s the tricky part here” said Steve Kerr during an episode of ‘95.7 The Game’ back in April 2025. These remarks only added to the belief that Jonathan Kuminga has become a player of the past for the Golden State Warriors now.
After all, since his return from a 31-game absence (due to an ankle injury), Kuminga saw a reduction in his minutes, was scarcely used in Golden State’s closing lineups, and was even made to play in only 3 of the 7 games against the Houston Rockets in the recent playoffs series.
In light of this, and given how Kuminga is being used in the rotation during the ongoing Warriors-Timberwolves playoff series, a former NBA champion is now speaking out. Kendrick Perkins is never one to hold back, especially when it comes to controversial takes — and this time, he’s aimed straight at the Warriors’ bench.
As Golden State stares down a potential 3-1 deficit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the ESPN analyst took to X with a scathing critique of Steve Kerr’s handling of Jonathan Kuminga. Perkins wrote:
“I hope Kuminga get the hell away from Steve Kerr. He’s not the Coach for this young talented and Athletic young Star. He really need an opportunity to spread his wings. Kerr really had this man outta of the rotation.”
It’s not the first time Perk has questioned Kerr’s rotations, but the timing of this post — with the Warriors floundering and Kuminga’s role fluctuating — hits especially hard. Whether it’s a valid critique or just another hot take, it’s bound to fuel the growing conversation around Golden State’s future and Kuminga’s place in it.
I hope Kuminga get the hell away from Steve Kerr. He’s not the Coach for this young talented and Athletic young Star. He really need an opportunity to spread his wings. Kerr really had this man outta of the rotation.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 13, 2025
This is a developing story.
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