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Golden State Warriors expert says Jonathan Kuminga ‘hasn’t earned’ the role he really wants

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Dec 6, 2025 4:00 PM ET

One Golden State Warriors analyst shared his frustration with Jonathan Kuminga and his mentality since his return.

Jonathan Kuminga finds himself in a strange position after re-signing with the Golden State Warriors before the start of the season.

Kuminga is currently out with an injury, but even prior to that, he quickly rose and fell down the pecking order in the first few months of the NBA season.

Steve Kerr changed his stance on Kuminga from preseason, when he said the young forward would have freedom on the offensive end, only to take the ball out of his hands.

And while Kuminga’s frustration over his lack of opportunity is understandable, one Warriors insider thinks he hasn’t earned the right to play the role he wants to play.

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Golden State Warriors analyst says Jonathan Kuminga hasn’t earned right to take 20 shots per game

Golden State Warriors analyst Tim Kawakami spoke on the Willard and Dobbs show about the Jonathan Kuminga situation.

He believes that Kuminga has yet to earn the offensive freedom he wants with the Warriors, especially since he squandered his opportunity to do so when Stephen Curry was out injured.

“If you ask him what he wants? He wants 20 shots a game and to play 35 minutes a game. You can tell. It’s in his body language, it’s in everything he does. That’s fine.

Jonathan Kuminga’s situation with the Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga seems likely to be traded once January 15th arrives.

What do you think the Warriors can get back in a trade for him?

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“You should want that when you’re a basketball player, especially with his skill set. He hasn’t earned it with the Warriors. He just hasn’t.

“If you’re gonna earn it, you’re gonna earn it in the games when Steph Curry doesn’t play. And that hasn’t happened at all this season.

“They’re running out of time on this to be able to pull it off. He’s 23, still very young. But contractually, they’re running out of time…”

Golden State Warriors must make a decision on Jonathan Kuminga

The decision to re-sign Jonathan Kuminga becomes all the more perplexing given the situation the Golden State Warriors find themselves in.

It’s clear Steve Kerr doesn’t want to play Jonathan Kuminga in a featured role. And nothing is going to change his mind.

Which NBA star most needs to be TRADED before the deadline?

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Former Warriors GM Bob Myers revealed how Steve Kerr isolates players he doesn’t like. And that appears to be the case for Jonathan Kuminga.

It might be best if the Warriors cut their losses and trade Kuminga in exchange for a player they prefer. Perhaps the Warriors trade Kuminga to land Nic Claxton, a star-level center they sorely need.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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