Copyright yardbarker
The Golden State Warriors have a new permanent fixture in their starting lineup. Head coach Steve Kerr announced Tuesday that Jonathan Kuminga has officially locked down a full-time starting spot, marking a significant milestone in the 23-year-old’s development. “He’ll be our starter going forward,” Kerr told reporters before the Warriors’ matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. “He’s been fantastic.” Jonathan Kuminga’s Path to Consistency The decision caps years of uncertainty for Kuminga, who has bounced between starting and bench roles since entering the league as the seventh overall pick in 2021. Last season, he started 46 of 74 games—his most as a pro—but never cracked more than 16 starts in any other campaign. This offseason brought its own drama. Contract negotiations between Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors dragged on for months, with the young forward seeking both financial security and a more defined role. The two sides eventually settled on a two-year, $48.5 million deal that bet on Jonathan Kuminga’s potential to grow into a foundational piece. So far, that bet looks smart. What’s Changed This Season Through Golden State’s first five games, all starts, Jonathan Kuminga is averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 30.2 minutes per contest. He’s shooting an efficient 53.7% from the field and a surprising 43.8% from three-point range. Kerr has been particularly impressed with Jonathan Kuminga’s defensive intensity and improved decision-making on offense. “Last night we put him on Ja [Morant],” Kerr said. “Tonight, we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready to take on that role defensively.” On the offensive end, Kuminga has dramatically cut down on the mid-range pull-ups that frustrated coaches in previous seasons. Instead, he’s attacking the rim with purpose, making smart passes to Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, and generally playing within the flow of the offense. “You’ve hardly seen any of the mid-shot clock, 17-foot pull-ups,” Kerr noted. “You’re seeing him being much more purposeful, getting the ball to Jimmy, getting the ball to Steph, attacking the rim. He’s really putting a lot of pressure on people.” Rebounding Becomes a Strength Perhaps most impressive has been Kuminga’s work on the glass. After averaging just 4.0 rebounds per game over his first four NBA seasons, he’s grabbed 37 boards through five contests this year—the most he’s ever recorded in any five-game stretch of his career. That rebounding prowess has helped alleviate spacing concerns that plagued the Warriors last season when Kuminga, Green, and Butler shared the floor. The trio struggled to find chemistry in 2024-25, but things have clicked early this year thanks to Kuminga’s growth as a passer and his willingness to do the dirty work. “The combination of Jimmy and Draymond and JK wasn’t great last year, but because of all the improvements JK has made, his passing, it’s just really clicking,” Kerr said. “So we’re going to stay with that.” What This Means for Golden State With Curry, Butler, Green, and now Kuminga locked into the starting five, the Warriors have established a core four that will open games moving forward. The fifth starter remains fluid—Kerr plans to alternate between big man Quinten Post and guard Brandin Podziemski depending on matchups. The coaching staff initially considered starting veteran Al Horford, but pivoted to bring him off the bench to manage his minutes. Moses Moody, another candidate for a starting role, suffered a calf injury in training camp that delayed his season debut and opened the door for Kuminga. Kuminga seized that opportunity and hasn’t looked back.
