The Golden State Warriors dealt with an offseason of contract drama between Jonathan Kuminga and the front office.
Neither side budged until the end of September, with Kuminga inking a two-year, $48.5 million deal to return to The Bay. During the first game of the Warriors’ 2025-26 campaign, the young forward put up 17 points (13 of which in the third quarter), nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal, shooting 54.5 percent from the field in a 119-109 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers to open up the season.
Head coach Steve Kerr spoke on Kuminga’s progression and even credited superstar Jimmy Butler with his newfound mindset.
“I think he has really, really matured,” Kerr said of Kuminga. “I think he has a better sense of what’s needed now compared to past years. Jimmy has really helped him too. Jimmy has talked to him a lot during camp, taken him aside during practices. Remember, Jonathan just turned 23.”
Kuminga celebrated his birthday earlier this month and is looking to have a much-improved season compared to last year. The 23-year-old missed a little over two months with a sprained right ankle last season, and averaged just 12.2 points per game in his final 15 contests of the season in his return.
Draymond Green also spoke on Kuminga’s game, but specifically talked about an offensive rebound he secured in the game’s final sequence.
“That rebound is what everyone in the world has been waiting to see,” Green said. “You have that athleticism, you go make big plays. You have superstar potential, you go make big plays. Those are game-winning plays. When you ask for opportunity, you must deliver. He’s been very vocal about his opportunity, and he delivered.”
There appears to be a solid foundation of veteran leadership supporting Kuminga, along with Kerr, but there are 81 games to go to continue working to get the Warriors back to where they want to be.
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