Things Are Changing in Warriors Locker Room as Reporter Confirms Rare Occurrence for Stephen Curry and Co.

Jonathan Kuminga was supposed to be the Warriors’ future. Athletic, explosive, a two-way threat, you name it. But come the Golden State’s biggest game of the year so far—a must-win against the Clippers with playoff seeding on the line, Steve Kerr decided to script a rotation plan that had Jimmy Butler logged for 48 minutes, Brandin Podziemski for 43, Steph Curry and Draymond Green each for 38 and Moses Moody for 30, and zero minutes for Kuminga on Sunday. They lost the game against the Clippers 124-119 in overtime, which means they are now going into the play-in round to face the Grizzlies. But, in the process, what the Dubs may have lost in the locker room is harder to measure.

If you weren’t given the memo already, Kerr has been sending the messages all over the place. Ever since Jonathan returned after he recovered from a Grade-3 ankle sprain injury, the head coach has admitted that the offensive flow has been quite inconsistent. For instance, his fit in certain lineups, particularly alongside star Jimmy Butler. Apart from the starting five, the Warriors played Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield, Kevon Looney, and Quinten Post. At the end of the day, considering this was no different than a playoff game, those are the nine men that Steve Kerr trusted.

Here’s what the head coach stated later: “When you get to these tight games, you tighten up your rotation and you play your guys, and you go for it,” Kerr said postgame. “We just found a group since Jimmy got here that we’re pretty comfortable with.

“Gui (Santos) didn’t play, either. Gui’s been our highest plus-minus guy over the past two months. Both he and JK have been really impactful players for us. Doesn’t mean they’re out of the loop going forward, it’s just this is how this game played out.” 

The interesting part about all this is what Steph Curry said. Although he doesn’t often wade into rotation drama, the fact that sources confirmed James Harden walking over to the Warriors’ bench and asking Kuminga why he wasn’t playing may have prompted Curry to comment this time. “Just be ready,” Curry told Kuminga publicly. “You never know when your moment will be there… it wasn’t his time tonight.

“Against Memphis, it could be a game where he makes his presence felt.” Kuminga, however, declined to comment. These only go on to confirm that the decision to bench Kuminga wasn’t injury-related. He was active, healthy, and was seen warming up pregame. He even stayed after the loss to get shots up. For all we know, Kuminga dropped 34 points and 10 boards against the very Clippers team in December.

Top Comment by Kingsolomon

It’s a mess! Without JK in the lineup, they don’t match up with any team. Drayton can handle the 5,...more

Share your take

Debate

How the Warriors’ Culture Shift is Leaving Kuminga Behind

Kuminga’s benching isn’t just a one-off. It’s emblematic of a broader transformation inside the Warriors’ locker room. Once known for bringing up young talent alongside established stars, Golden State now feels increasingly veteran-first. With Jimmy Butler joining Curry and Draymond Green, there’s less room for experimentation and more urgency for results.

And Kuminga is the one caught in between. Kerr admitted as much. The lineup with Kuminga, Butler, and Green “doesn’t fit real well.” Translation? There’s no floor spacing. Too many slashers. Not enough shooters. It clogs the paint and cramps Curry’s game.

Even Warriors owner Joe Lacob, who once called Kuminga “the future of the franchise,” has been quiet. But two months ago, he reaffirmed his belief: “Absolutely,” Lacob said. “One hundred percent. Are you kidding me? I love that guy. We love him.”

The vibe has shifted, and so have the priorities. Insiders like Marcus Thompson and Anthony Slater aren’t sugarcoating it: “It feels like the end of an era,” Thompson said. “… If you’re Kuminga, you’re like, ‘I’m not coming back to a coach that doesn’t believe in me.’”

So, what happened to Kuminga this season? It wasn’t just basketball. An ankle injury sidelined him for weeks mid-season, just as the Warriors were discovering a winning groove with Butler. By the time Kuminga returned, the rotation had changed. Roles were tighter. Patience thinner.

Let’s also talk about the reality of the salary cap for a second.

Butler is locked into a two-year, $112 million extension. Draymond still has money left. Steph isn’t going anywhere. And with Kuminga entering restricted free agency this summer, which means that keeping him won’t come cheap. The Warriors can’t pay everyone top dollar, especially if their roles aren’t clearly defined. With massive contracts on the books and roster fit becoming a question, Golden State faces a choice: invest in the future or lean fully into the now.

If the Warriors believe he no longer fits Kerr’s system—or Butler’s timeline—they may let him walk. Or flip him. The Spurs have reportedly shown interest. A sign-and-trade for Devin Vassell, who fits the Warriors’ spacing needs better, isn’t off the table.

So yes, Kuminga might be a casualty of style, circumstance, and spreadsheet math. And in a franchise known for trust, transparency, and homegrown development—maybe that’s the rarest occurrence of all.