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The Golden State Warriors have begun the season with a sense of renewal, and few players reflect that more than Jonathan Kuminga. After a long summer of uncertainty, the 23-year-old forward is back in Steve Kerr’s starting lineup — and thriving. Speaking before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Mike Dunleavy Jr. opened up about the months-long negotiation process and why the Warriors resisted taking the easy way out. “Player development, player growth for players in this league isn’t always linear,” Dunleavy told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Warriors Pregame Live (via NBC Sports Bay Area). “There’s some bumps along the way, and I went through that; a lot of guys have gone through that. JK has seen that… there are times where, frankly, the best thing for a young player is to get to a new situation. I think we resisted that this summer.” Kuminga’s Fresh Start Without Leaving The Warriors and Kuminga reached a two-year, $48.5 million deal in late September, ending months of tension and speculation. For Dunleavy, it was never about parting ways — it was about alignment. He explained that he wanted to understand where Kuminga stood before making any decision on his future. “Honestly, the first thing I wanted to hear from him was just where he was at with things,” Dunleavy said. “He was the pending free agent, so anytime it’s on you to re-sign a player or figure out a contract, you want to understand where that player is at. It was a complicated summer at times, but we got through it.” The GM credited Kuminga for staying patient through the process, describing the young forward’s early-season performance as proof that the right decision was made. “JK is thriving. He’s comfortable out there. He’s confident,” Dunleavy said. “He’s got off to a really good start, and we’re going to let this thing go.” Kuminga’s Growth on Full Display Kuminga’s evolution has been one of the early success stories for Golden State. After years of fluctuating minutes and a sometimes-uncertain role, he’s now firmly entrenched as a starter. Through the opening stretch of the season, he’s shown improved poise, better decision-making, and the kind of energy that anchors both ends of the floor. It’s a product of maturity — and mutual trust. Dunleavy noted that progress isn’t always smooth for young players, but staying the course can pay off. Both the player and the franchise chose patience over change — and now, the results are beginning to show. The Bigger Picture for the Warriors For Golden State, the Kuminga saga was never just about money. It was about identity — about whether the next generation could coexist with the remnants of a dynasty built on experience and success. By recommitting to each other, both sides answered that question. Kuminga’s rise gives the Warriors something they’ve needed for years: youth, athleticism, and sustainable growth around Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler. The journey wasn’t linear, as Dunleavy said. But in staying together, both Kuminga and the Warriors may have found their new beginning.
