Jonathan Kuminga Given Lifeline for Warriors Future as Ex-NBA Star Details Failing Steve Kerr Relationship

For a team that prides itself on harmony and rings, the Golden State Warriors are suddenly finding themselves juggling egos, youth development, and perhaps… a little bit of damage control. Jonathan Kuminga’s name has been dangled in these talks more times than a loose ball in crunch time. And as speculation swirls about his future with the franchise, a former NBA All-Star has lobbed a grenade straight into the Warriors’ culture cabinet.

“I think they lost command. I think Steve Kerr ruined that relationship with the DNPs,” DeMarcus Cousins said on his latest appearance on Run It Back. “We’ve seen this happen time and time again when it comes to him and dealing with young talent. He just doesn’t handle young talent well. He doesn’t develop young talent. I mean, out of the years he’s been there, we’ve seen one guy develop under Steve Kerr, and they ran him off his will, and that was Jordan Poole.“

Spicy, yes? And it didn’t stop there. “So when it comes to young talent, I just don’t think they handle it well, and I can see Kuminga being on the move.” That’s a big yikes! from the ex-Warrior. And while it might sound harsh, it does echo murmurs that have swirled around the Warriors for years. That, unless you’re a seasoned vet or a perfect system fit, good luck cracking Kerr’s trust rotation. And it cuts to the core of the most pressing dilemma for Golden State’s brass this offseason: can they salvage this marriage with Jonathan Kuminga, or has the damage already been done?

In a surprisingly candid interview, Steve Kerr seemed acutely aware of the spotlight on Kuminga’s development… or lack thereof. And this time, he wasn’t dodging questions. Asked directly whether Kuminga could thrive with the Dubs, Kerr leaned in: “Well, I mean, he’s definitely capable of doing that here. And that’s obviously what we’re going to be focused on, you know, as a coaching staff.”

He continued, pointing out a crucial shift in Kuminga’s offseason approach: “JK told me he’s going to be around here a lot more this summer. He hasn’t been around our facility much the last couple summers, but he’s got a couple of young girls. He’s much more settled down now, wants to be in one place.”

Translation? The Warriors are building a custom playbook to keep Kuminga in the Bay. And it starts with accountability, presence, and relentless hustle. “We’re going to hammer home those points with him and try to get him to understand all those loose balls, all those long rebounds… with his athleticism, those are plays for him to help us win,” Kerr explained. “He’s got to get those rebounds. He’s got to chase down those loose balls. He’s got to run the floor, sprint the floor.”

In other words: be the chaos agent you were born to be, but do it our way.

Kerr wasn’t just tossing out coach-speak either. He painted a very clear picture of what it’ll take for Kuminga to become more than just a rotation guy. Dive for the loose balls. Snatch the long rebounds. Sprint the floor like there’s a championship on the other end. It’s not flashy, but it’s the dirty work that earns trust next to Steph, Draymond, and, yes, Jimmy. So yes, the message was loud: if Kuminga wants a permanent seat at the table, the path is there. It just starts with grit, not glamour.

Why Jonathan Kuminga might be the Warriors’ most urgent project yet

In a season defined by turbulence, Kuminga quietly delivered the best numbers of his young career. The 22-year-old forward averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during the 2024–25 NBA regular season, with a field goal percentage of 45.4%. These numbers reflect his contributions over 47 games, as he missed significant time due to an ankle injury.

But perhaps the most telling soundbite came when the conversation turned to Kuminga’s feelings about staying put. “I think the number one thing is that JK and I have a very good relationship,” Kerr said. “We talk all the time. We like each other… This is all just basketball.” Sure, Coach. But in a league where ‘just basketball’ has blown up more locker rooms than TMZ ever could, that might be wishful thinking.

Kerr admitted what we’re all wondering: “There’s got to be part of JK that thinks about going elsewhere… would he get more of an opportunity? And those are all very normal human emotions.” So, where does that leave us?

Somewhere between Boogie’s flamethrower takes and Kerr’s coaching clinic optimism sits the real question. Can the Warriors finally crack the Jonathan Kuminga code? Or will they let another young star walk out the door with untapped potential in tow? Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned about this dynasty, it’s not the age of the legs, it’s the strength of the bridge between generations. And right now, that bridge looks like it’s got a few cracks to patch up.