Jan 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) reacts after a foul with head coach Steve Kerr against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Ex-Warriors Star Blames Steve Kerr for Jonathan Kuminga's Future

Originally posted on Golden State Warriors on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated May 21, 2025 2:50 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors flamed out in the second round of the playoffs, headlined by a hamstring injury to Steph Curry that sidelined him for most of their season-ending series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, in Curry's absence, 22-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga came in and made a huge, unexpected difference. In Games 2 through 5, with Curry sidelined, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game with 55.4/38.9/72.0 shooting splits.

Kuminga rose to the occasion for the Warriors, which was surprising considering their crumbling relationship toward the end of the season. Now, as he enters restricted free agency, his future in Golden State is up in the air.

Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors are expected to “explore sign-and-trade” scenarios, per @anthonyVslater.

(via @ThompsonScribe) pic.twitter.com/aE0xXLxGbV
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 15, 2025

Former Warriors star center DeMarcus Cousins talked about Kuminga's future with Golden State, placing blame on head coach Steve Kerr for their poor relationship.

"I think they lost [Kuminga]. I think Steve Kerr ruined that relationship with the DNPs," Cousins said. "We’ve seen this happen time and time again when it comes to him and dealing with young talent. He doesn’t develop young talent.

"Out of the years he’s been there, we’ve seen one guy develop under Steve Kerr, and they ran him off as well, and that was Jordan Poole, so when it comes to young talent, I just don’t think they handle it well."

Demarcus Cousins thinks the Warriors lost Jonathan Kuminga because of Steve Kerr

“I think they lost [Kuminga]. I think Steve Kerr ruined that relationship with the DNPs. We’ve seen this happen time and time again when it comes to him and dealing with young talent. He doesn’t… pic.twitter.com/b0msD8mVYD
— GSW Ball Report (@GSWBallReport) May 21, 2025

Steve Kerr opted not to play Kuminga in Golden State's regular-season finale, play-in tournament game, and three of their seven first-round games. That can certainly have a huge impact on a young player like Kuminga, and likely damaged his relationship with Kerr. Now, as he enters free agency, his relationship with Kerr and the Warriors could be too broken to repair.

This article first appeared on Golden State Warriors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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