UPDATE: Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has officially announced that Jonathan Kuminga will be the team’s starting forward moving forward. This decision follows Kuminga’s impressive performances in the early part of the season, culminating in a decisive 98-79 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
Kerr declared, “He’ll be our starter going forward,” highlighting Kuminga’s ability to match up against the opponent’s best perimeter scorers. In just his first five starts, Kuminga has proven his worth, averaging 16.2 points on an efficient 53.7% shooting, while also contributing significantly on the boards with 37 rebounds—the most he has recorded in any five-game stretch.
This announcement is particularly significant given Kuminga’s previous frustrations regarding his role on the team. Over the past two seasons, he sought a consistent starting position, even exploring restricted free agency during the summer. Despite interest from teams like the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, the Warriors retained him with a $46.8 million two-year contract, initially without a guarantee of a starting role.
The injury to Moses Moody and the decision to limit veteran Al Horford to around 22 minutes per game opened the door for Kuminga, and he has seized the opportunity. Kerr remarked on Kuminga’s growth, stating, “The way he’s rebounding, the way he’s attacking the rim, that’s what makes him special.”
The Warriors have started the season strong, now holding a record of 4-1. In the games where Kuminga, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green have played together, the team has outscored opponents by 37 points in just 74 minutes on the court together.
Kerr noted that he had previously hesitated to play those three together due to spacing issues, but Kuminga’s improvements have changed that dynamic. “You’re seeing him being much more purposeful,” Kerr said. “He’s really putting a lot of pressure on people.”
As the Warriors continue their campaign, the fifth starter position will remain fluid, shifting between third-year guard Brandin Podziemski and second-year center Quinten Post, depending on matchups.
With Kuminga stepping into a prominent role, fans are eager to see how this will impact the Warriors’ performance for the remainder of the season. Follow for more updates as this story develops.
