Jonathan Kuminga Defied Golden State System Before Jimmy Trade, Claim Dwyane Wade & Co.

From the start, fitting into Steve Kerr’s pass-heavy motion offense was a challenge for Jonathan Kuminga. The player prefers attacking one-on-one, using his athleticism to drive or pull up mid-range. That’s not the head coach’s style. The coach prefers only Stephen Curry to take such risks with the quick shots and wants others to be thoughtful with the ball, but a sprained ankle at a bad time sidelined Kuminga. So Jimmy Butler showed up and fit right in, which left fans cheering louder. You see, by February, the player became the first one in franchise history to have 120+ points, 30+ rebounds, and 30+ assists in just six games.

Yes, Butler didn’t just bring star power, but he brought results. In just a few weeks, he became a fan favorite, putting up big numbers while barely dribbling. His movement off the ball, his feel for the game, it clicked instantly. Coach Kerr saw it too. With Butler averaging 44 minutes in recent games, Kuminga found himself behind Moody, Payton, and even Gui Santos. Suddenly, minutes weren’t just limited, they were gone.

On a new episode of Time Out with Dwyane Wade, the topic of Kuminga came up. Wade asked, “Why he’s not on the floor?” and Dorell Wright didn’t sugarcoat it and pointed out how his play style was causing him to be on the sidelines. Hear it from Wright and Wade themselves!

Wright: “He doesn’t play in the proper way. He don’t play in the system. He don’t understand when you throw it to the post, you gotta cut […] Because he is a young fella and he knows how good he is and is very talented, just doesn’t play within the system.” But the discussion didn’t stop there. Wade questioned Kuminga’s understanding after three or four years in the system, prompting Coach Chris Johnson to explain:

“Golden State, moving the ball for 12 to 14 seconds if they’re not getting an initial. You got to move without the ball.” Wade then praised Butler’s ability to thrive in that system, noting how even without relying on isolation, Butler consistently made the right plays. “Jimmy over there doing his thing,” Wade opined while Udonis Haslem also joined in and stated that even though he has played defense against players like LeBron James, Butler has proven to be the most challenging for him. He claimed, “Jimmy is probably the smartest offensive player I’ve ever had to play. Maybe he didn’t have their talent and their skill set, but he is very smart.” And this was very surprising, considering their previous controversy.

Remember when Haslem and Butler got into an argument back in 2022? It took place on the sidelines during the Heat’s 118-104 loss against the GSW. The Heat’s underwhelming performance on the court had its team feeling emotional. “We both said we going to kick each other’s a–,” Haslem had said back then, sharing how frustrating the experience was.

Regardless, with Butler’s performance, Kuminga’s position in the team has become less essential. And as Kerr continues to prioritize players who fit within the Warriors’ system, Kuminga’s role seems increasingly uncertain.

Top Comment by Lvpowell8

The problem is Kerr and not Kuminga. Kerr is trying to ruin Kuminga’s career and his mental state while the...more

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A tense wait for Jonathan Kuminga’s future in Golden State…

The Golden State Warriors have had a rollercoaster season, but the decision to bench Jonathan Kuminga in crucial games has stirred the most debate. As the Warriors fought for a better playoff spot, the young forward was left out entirely in a significant game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite the Warriors’ narrow loss, coach Steve Kerr opted for a rotation he felt would give the team the best chance to succeed, notably including veterans like Gary Payton II over Kuminga.

Kerr’s explanation for keeping Kuminga on the bench was simple yet telling: He believed the lineup with the other experienced players and Kuminga just didn’t work. “The lineup with Jimmy [Butler], Draymond [Green], and JK doesn’t work—we need spacing,” Kerr stated earlier this month, acknowledging the importance of having a balanced, effective lineup for the team’s playoff push.

The Warriors’ success with Butler’s seamless integration only reinforced Kerr’s stance. Kuminga, on the other hand, had to watch from the sidelines, his role increasingly in question. While the head coach didn’t directly address the situation, his actions spoke volumes. The conversation around the player’s future with Golden State has only intensified since then.

Though Kerr has opted for a veteran-heavy lineup in the postseason, the situation remains fluid. Kuminga’s athleticism and talent are undeniable, but his struggles to fit into Kerr’s system have been a recurring theme. With each high-stakes game, the pressure mounts for Kerr to decide whether Kuminga’s development is worth the risk of disrupting the team’s rhythm. Now, the latest reports also suggest that he will be benched against the Rockets as well.

San Francisco Standard columnist Tim Kawakami has shared that it “doesn’t sound like there’s anything much different planned” for Kuminga in the half-hour before tip-off of Game 1. However, the columnist also added that things could change depending on how the game plays out.

As the Warriors move forward into the playoffs, Kerr’s decisions remain a point of contention. Will Kuminga get a chance to prove himself in the postseason? Or will Kerr continue to rely on a lineup that excludes the young forward? The Warriors need every available player to contribute to their playoff run.