As he prepares for restricted free agency, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is training at workout facilities in Cleveland and preparing for the 2025/26 season in the hopes of having a more significant role, wherever he ends up, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. As Slater writes, Kuminga has “long held a dream” of becoming a star who can lead a team and drive its offense.
“That’s what’s been on my mind,” Kuminga told Slater. “Things take time, but I feel like I’m at the point where that has to be my priority, to just be one of the guys a team relies on. Aiming to be an All-Star. Multiple times. Aiming to be great. … Wherever I’m going to be at, it don’t matter if it’s the Warriors or if it’s anywhere else, it’s something I want. I want to see what I could do. I know I got it. So I want to really see. I’ve never got that chance.”
As Kuminga notes, he hasn’t consistently gotten the opportunity to play a starring role in Golden State. His minutes and his role have fluctuated during four seasons with the Warriors, all the way up until this spring — he was out of the rotation at the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs before averaging 24.3 points per game in the final four contests of Golden State’s season with Stephen Curry sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
“I did it here and there, but it was never a consistent role, a consistent role given to me,” Kuminga said. “It only happens five games on, 10 games off. I want it to be a consistent role. Because I know what I got. I know what I could bring. I know how much work I put in. I know I’m dedicated to this game, how much I love the game.”
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. spoke this week about the need to more firmly establish a role for Kuminga if he returns, and Golden State should be in the driver’s seat during his free agency process, since the 22-year-old will be restricted. Still, there are teams expected to have interest in the former No. 7 overall pick.
Slater confirms previous reporting by stating that the Heat have “legitimate” interest in Kuminga after missing out on Kevin Durant. A league source confirms to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald that Miami is eyeing Kuminga, though the Herald duo says the team is considering other options too.
Whatever happens with Kuminga in restricted free agency, he’s confident that agent Aaron Turner will find the best outcome for him.
“I trust my people, trust my agent,” Kuminga told Slater. “I want to know more about how this trade stuff goes, how this sign-and-trade goes or how this contract goes. I want to learn more about it. But most of the time I just focus on playing, just working. The better I get, wherever I get my chance, it’s going to show.
“Wherever I go, wherever I’ll be, off the rip, I just want them to be like, ‘Oh, yeah, he deserved what he got. He deserved to be here. He worked hard for it.’ Wherever it is, that’s what I want it to feel like. I want to be great. I feel like I’m capable of being that, capable of doing some special things and I won’t just let it go like that. The only way to get there is just to lock in every single day.”
I would consider it weird if he didn’t aim to be an All Star.
GS seems like such a well-oiled machine… until I consider what they’ve done with this guy. Kerr nailed him to the bench! It boggles the mind, this guy has star potential.
Potential doesnt do s*** for a team trying to not slip from 6 to 10 in the standings. If he had been the best part of this team he could be instead his playing time would have been more consistent and he could have earned his way into a larger role.
Honestly if he hustled as much as Podz does, he would be getting 30mpg easily.
Like in games where he is locked in, you can see glimpses of being an awesome player but then you see him disappear, being lackadaisical, etc.
@dezpoo This is exactly it, plus we all still have to remember he started playing organized ball at 15-16, he’s still learning the game. If you watch the warriors on a nightly basis you see how much he’s got to improve. Not saying he won’t get there, but it’s gonna take time
Yeah and people forget he’s ONLY 22 LOL. He could be a senior coming out of college right now and he’d be a top draft pick based on his “potential” … Quinten Post is 25! (that said, I’m looking forward to see if Post is able to get stronger and work on his lateral movement more while being more consistent on the boards).
Pods is overrated garbage man. Awful defense and shooting. People got a hard on him. Pods is extremely overrated
Warriors don’t develop their players look at Wiseman, Kuminga, Moody their prize draft. None are making an impact. That’s cause they prioritized winning over development. And they did luck out and get one. It’s over now ……
Warriors have as much chance at winning as Davey J has at ever getting a post right. FankenStein will be trolling for years to come ……
Searching for the new Curry ……
I want to be a great basketball player too.
He should aim for getting it in the cylinder
I hope he goes somewhere else to hopefully have a chance to improve his game. Think both sides need a clean break at this point.
The Warriors need a break from Steve Kerr, the guy most responsible for Kuminga’s poor development.
Under no circumstance is GP2 better than Kuminga. Kerr deserves to be fired for arguing otherwise and playing GP2 (not a good player) Kuminga’s minutes, especially in the playoffs.
Agreed. Davey J, not sure if you heard the Kerr interview (with Tolbert? I forget) after the season ended: the Warriors wanted Kuminga to assume a specific role – reminiscent of Shawn Marion with the Suns – and Kuminga apparently was resistant to it. I feel bad for the guy because there have been windows of time over the last few years where he really should have been entrusted with greater responsibilities on the offensive end. But for whatever reason(s), he didn’t take it by the horns and run with it. And for that, I say the blame should not solely be on Kerr’s or Kuminga’s shoulders; distribute it evenly, rather. With that texted, it’ll for sure nauseate me if Dubs decide to run it back with Kuminga and re-sign him. The Kuminga-Dubs ship has sailed – and, MAN, has it encountered some choppy waters along the way! MDJ, let’s get Kuminga the opportunity he wants – with ANOTHER team. It’s time. Let’s bring in some more consistent scoring to surround Steph. And the offseason is still young. Let’s dream BIG, Dubs fans! Continue to monitor Milwaukee and Giannis! Continue to monitor Memphis and JJJ! Less emphatically, continue to monitor Brooklyn and Cam Johnson. COULD Derrick White be attainable without having to shred the Steph-Jimmy-Dray partnership?? Dream BIG, Dubs fans!! It’s still June!! None of this “oh hey, maybe we can get Melton back” or “I’m wondering about Cam Whitmore’s availability” bologna!! C’mon!!!
If you gave me the reigns, I would run this for like 35-40 mins a game or until blowout:
Brook Lopez-Draymond Green-Jonathan Kuminga-Jimmy Butler-Steph Curry (maybe swap Kuminga and Green around)
and then, win like 70 games+title next year.
Kerr is obsessed with playing bad rotations that make no sense at all, like 4 SGs at once. He also breaks up rotations that struggle, but then click and start cooking, like RIGHT when they start cooking. Infuriating. All Dubs fans know the pain of Curry opening 0-5 from 3, then nailing 3 in a row then…rest. While the game isn’t a blowout. Makes no sense.
The league is trending towards Wemby. Size matters. GSW got dominated by only having Looney, Post and TJD as the bigs. All 3 gotta go tbh. Brook Lopez would be perfect because he provides offense, size, veteran leadership and rebounds.
@ Davey J. You are aware Warriors would have multiple development coaches who’d report to Kerr right? How many titles? That first one in particular was impressive coaching. Does Kerr have a gold medal also? Kuminga hasn’t exactly helped himself.
Being in the NBA is all about personal goals for this guy. He’ll be 38 years old and still be immature. Make him do an IQ test doubt he scores above 72.
I already said in these threads, but replacing Steve Kerr with Andre Iguodala absolutely will result in Kuminga making the all-star team and will cause the Warriors will win more titles in Steph’s prime.
I just came upon a Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware for Kuminga and Podziemski trade idea on twitter and if that happened GSW would win the next 3 titles so easy.
Do I get a medal for Davey blocking me now? See how he doesn’t want anyone that doesn’t agree with him to respond.
I’m so ready to rip him a new one using all caps with his Kuminga/Kerr garbage.
Kerr is not responsible for player development. I don’t think he’s even in charge of hiring all those assistant coaches, though he might be.
Player development happens during and after practice. Routine after routine, workout after workout, going over things improving your shooting, etc. etc. That’s player development.
Kerr is working on the game plan and his lead assistance work on beating the next opponent. NOT PLAYER DEVELOPMENT.
The article almost is of the same vein when they say Kuminga didn’t get a chance or He wasn’t given an opportunity.
Those things aren’t given away. Those are earned. Such entitlement rubbish.
Can’t believe your buddy is on board with it. Repeatedly over the last year or so that the head coach should be fired, etc.
He plays the guys that are handed to him and who can win a ball game for him.
Consistent roles are not given out they’re earned.
My goodness, so infuriating how much people claim to know Hoops yet don’t.
Congrats on the muting. Well deserved honor.
@Gary – Wow. This is one of the best posts I’ve ever read on this site. No hyperbole. IMO, it would make a good auto-reply to anyone opining on player development that’s never been around it, although maybe there are way too many of those for it to be practical. Anyway, good work.
All fans question the coach of the team. Sometimes I question Kerr on playing players that I don’t see doing anything on the court. Watching other teams I rather have Kerr than somebody else. What bothers me the most is at the end of the game forcing the ball into Curry when he is double team with their best defensive players. Design a play where Curry is drawing defense away so a open shot for a team mate.
What’s even funny is that Curry is usually locked in with Kerr on his decisions.
Remember in ’21-’22 … the vets all wanted Avery Bradley over GP2. Imagine how that run would’ve been different if they hadn’t chosen to re-sign GP2 after being waived!
I get what you’re saying but I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that the teams that develop the most/best talent also give that talent the most playing time: Spurs, Thunder, Pacers, Heat, Magic, off the top of my head.
All the cases of a player blossoming after changing teams also started with a player not getting enough playing time, eg Nesmith.
You can debate the chicken or the egg but point is that the warriors are clearly struggling with this.
I’m really not sure why someone would block you arc. You’re pretty even keeled and I’ve never, ever read where you offended someone or called them names. I’m actually shocked.
The worst I’ve seen someone go at you is when a hater will group all of us Warriors fans together and call “us” Idiots after one of your posts. But never anyone offended at you personally. Very strange.
I called him out for his crazy deals he always put up. He then went off on me late one night in a very immature name calling comment. He either deleted it or hoops deleted it. I have only blocked 2 people on here because of name calling. I am not expert on the NBA and if somebody disagrees with what I said fine they have their opinion too. I been wrong many times. Davey makes all of us warrior fans look bad.
I’ve muted him ages ago and honestly, the comments section has been SO much better LOL. If I wanted trash takes, I’d just look over at Twitter instead.
It feels like he tries really hard to be the Bay Area’s version of Grant Cohn lol
I made him a compliment, said that he made a good point, and he still blocked me xD
I seriously wonder what happens when Curry is thru. Not that far away ……
Do you know if Warriors sign Kuminga to a deal now. Will they be able to trade him at TD for equal value ??
Probably depends on how he does between now and the TD but he’s still only 22 so his value isn’t/won’t be bad.
Those 1st picks 2-3 years from now are super valuable and I’m sure every team asks for those first lol.
From the presser by MD it sound liek they are holding onto draft picks knowing the end is near. I am watching teh draft tonight because if some team wants Kuminga they are going to trade a drafted players to the warriors for Kuminga since his money value is not much right now.
Say if they sign him to 30 mill now. Can they trade Kuminga at TD in Feb. For the 30 mill then.,
At Arc. A distant 3rd Maybe, Bronze. Little Davey couldn’t handle the very first encounter, lols. He was caught out lying his behind off though.
Talk about a lone Wolf lol ……. Just means you got sense. Not afraid to criticize your own team.
Say I have a question for Warrior fans. If Warriors sign Kuminga now. Can they trade him at the deadline for equal value then ???? Let me know.
Welcome to the club! Consider it a badge of honor. If you don’t eventually get blocked by Davey, you’re probably doing something wrong haha.
Basketball player tries to be good at basketball in his 4th year
I still say right now Nets and Claxton should be where Warriors can move Kuminga….. Claxton will transform the whole front line imo..
I’d love to see any big atm … not sure if Claxton will be able to stretch the floor though. (Draymond and Butler sort of clogs the middle … we saw Looney fall out of favor last year because the Warriors just didn’t have enough shooting outside of Curry to scare anyone). But then again, when Bogut was on the team early in their run, he def was a plus for the team.
The premium get would be a shooting big … that’s why Post got a lot of run late into the season and the start of the Rockets series.
He helps Dra wear and tear. Helps the young front line. Plus he makes them a top D team with Jimmy and Dra. Yeah I get the shooting. But he maximizes one side of the ball the D. Offensive reb and running floor will get him offense. He’s good for 12 pts, 30 mins. At this point not much out there for Kuminga. Cause of cap.
Nice little win for GSW with Brooklyn taking in Mann yesterday. Probably decreases the odds they will press JK
I see this simple (but things never are) …Get the lowest number you can on JK and move him in late January .
Perhaps theres too much internal beef and a S&T is needed but I think GSW gets better value if they chose the January route
I was Nets, I make Kuminga an offer ….
I see no value in blaming Kuminga or blaming Kerr. The fit between Kuminga’s strengths and how the Warriors prefer to play has long been poor. He will be better off on another team with a different system. It may be difficult to pull off a sign and trade right now, but soon enough he will be with another team and will probably flourish.
What does JK do well? Other than being athletic, what does he do well?
At Invalid….I would of tried turning him into Amen Thompson. Hustle, Defensive versatility, slasher and transition bucket getter on offence.
You can lead a horse to water, can’t make him drink it. Kuminga doesn’t have the awareness (!Q) or want to be Thompson. He wants to be the man who scores and gets paid. Yet, not a 3 level scorer. If the warriors had a decent offer he’d be signed and traded. Kumingas confidence may take a hit if and when he sees an offer sheet. What’s his cap hold?
Is it surprising GS got slaughtered the games Kuminga had 24ppt. Nope, because the guy doesn’t play any defense.
Kerr isn’t to blame. It’s GS in general that was barely a playoff team to begin with.
Am so sick of everyone talking Kuminga up.
This guy is athletic….and…. athletic.
Not dependable, constantly makes bonehead choices. Even when he puts the effort in, he seems like he is playing for a contract, playing for himself. He does not seem like he is a team player.
“Nailing him to the bench” was the only thing the Warriors could do as they certainly cannot depend on him. Let’s hope he ends up far far away from this team.