Has Jonathan Kuminga become a player of the past for the Warriors now? That, unfortunately, is the belief several fans of the Bay Area franchise would be holding right now. Since his return from a 31-game absence (due to an ankle injury), Kuminga averaged just around 18 minutes in his last three regular-season games. This drop in minutes became a pattern to note over the last 14 games, too, as the player was scarcely used in Golden State’s closing lineups. Now, Kuminga has been sidelined as a rotation player for the playoffs, since he was fully absent from Game 1 of the Warriors-Rockets series. Given Jimmy Butler’s presence, it is obvious why Kuminga might be getting underutilized. Fortunately, the ‘snub’ has not affected his relationship with his squad till now. Furthermore, there is some hope down the road, as Steve Kerr revealed.
The Golden State Warriors’ head coach was once again recently interviewed by the crew at 95.7 The Game. During the conversation, it didn’t take long for Jonathan Kuminga’s name to pop up. After all, who wouldn’t want to discuss the situation when a player of his caliber is simply warming a courtside seat? Kerr gave his flowers to Kuminga, calling even his benched demeanour “fantastic”.
Even if he wasn’t playing, the player was complimented for “his attitude, his energy on the bench, cheering guys on, staying ready”. However, despite what he was showing outside, not playing was also taking its toll on the young star. Naturally.
“This has been tough on him, but he’s doing exactly what he should be doing, which is staying ready,” said Kerr. “I’ve told him, and our coaches have told him things can change in a heartbeat in the NBA. He’s got to just be ready for when his time comes, and that’s exactly what he’s doing. I would be surprised if at some point his time doesn’t come.”
It was obvious that things would change for Jonathan Kuminga once the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler. However, in JK’s case, it didn’t exactly change for the better, especially considering he wasn’t even there to defend his on-court prowess against that of the veteran. It was a fact that Kerr promptly noted not too soon after the team got into a winning lineup.
“We found a really good formula when JK was injured and we got Jimmy. I think we went 18-2 or something right away. So we found lineup combinations that have clicked, and we’re winning, and we have to stick with that,” the 9x champ had said. Brutal!
And it looks like Steve Kerr plans to follow it going forward. “When you’re in a good groove, you just keep doing what you’re doing and then you adjust as you go,” the man added on Willard & Dibs.
“Jonathan [Kuminga] has been fantastic. His attitude, his energy on the bench, cheering guys on, staying ready. He’s a great, great young guy. This has been tough on him, but he’s doing exactly what he should be doing, which is staying ready.
I’ve told him, and our coaches have… pic.twitter.com/FaDrCK9423
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) April 23, 2025
Then again, given the abysmal win record the Warriors held before Butler came led Kerr to prioritize winning lineups. Understandably.
The Athletic‘s Anthony Slater earlier reported that the 22-year-old was expected to be out of the Warriors’ initial Game 1 rotation. Sure enough, he was not used at all during the Warriors-Rockets game. Touching upon this, NBA reporter Jason Timpf stated, “I actually thought it was interesting that they didn’t try Kuminga tonight, especially considering how poorly they were rebounding for stretches. But at the same time, like you got steady mistake-free basketball down the roster, which I think is what Steve Kerr was shooting for, to avoid Houston getting out in transition”.
Despite everything, Jonathan Kuminga cannot choose to blame the other Dubs players. After all, they don’t decide the rotation. Plus, he already holds the respect of his peers. Draymond Green continues serving as his mentor, ensuring he becomes an even better power forward. Even Jimmy Butler was in praise of Kuminga back in March, as he stated, “I want him to be him. To be the best of his abilities, continually be great, and help this squad achieve something special.” The situation is just as it is.
Given Steve Kerr’s firm decision, the best course of action would be to simply trade Jonathan Kuminga, right? Unfortunately, thanks to his contract, things are not as easy as they might seem.
Warriors will gain less and lose more by trading Jonathan Kuminga due to the Base Year Compensation
Jonathan Kuminga is currently playing under a 4-year, $24.855 million contract, which will expire by the end of this season. Due to the terms of the deal, he will be a restricted free agent with full Bird rights. This means that Kuminga can expect a 20% raise on his current price point ($7.6 million). Unfortunately, this is not good news for Kuminga, as these details make it harder for the Warriors to trade him. After all, Kuminga’s situation causes him to be subjected to the Base Year Compensation provision.
According to this rule, any prospective sign-and-trade deal presented to the 22-year-old will have only his 2025-26 salary. That, or 50 percent of his first-year salary in a new deal. Whichever is greater. For the team that acquires Kuminga, the front office will account for 100 percent of his first-year salary. This means that if the Warriors sign-and-trade Kuminga at the $30 million price point, they would be just sending out $15 million, aka half of Kuminga’s new salary.
The Warriors would lose money on the trade, thereby affecting their acquisition process. Therefore, what would be the point of trading Kuminga if the Warriors cannot get a player of a better caliber, or one that could fill a role requirement in exchange? Then again, Kerr himself isn’t willing to use Kuminga if he can help. As Chandler Bing once said, “Rock, Hard Place, Me”.
October 20, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (right) talks to forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
According to reports, things could work, trade-wise if a team acquires Jonathan Kuminga with at least $25 million+ cap space. The Brooklyn Nets are one option, since it is projected to have the same amount ready in cap space. The NY-based franchise is amongst the few suitors who can (currently) meet the $30-plus million-per-year price tag Kuminga previously desired. NBA reporter Eric Pincus highlighted that the Nets could give Kuminga “a four-year, $105.5 million offer sheet starting at $28.5 million (if it descends). Brooklyn can include a trade kicker and advances to try to swing Kuminga its way”.
The Nets have a big $41 million expiring contract in Ben Simmons. The front office could afford to spend on players who can become the team’s future. Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in the Warriors’ 2024-25 regular season. Therefore, he does make a case for why he deserves to be part of a team’s future.
If Kuminga isn’t getting his dues with Steve Kerr, then the Brooklyn Nets certainly look like an attractive option. Then again, as Kerr revealed, things can change in the future. It remains to be seen just how close that ‘future’ is.
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