The tension between Jonathan Kuminga and Steve Kerr has been simmering for a while, and now it’s boiled over. With Kuminga on his way out of Golden State, the writing was on the wall - this was a relationship that just couldn’t be salvaged.
At the heart of the disconnect? Role definition.
For a while, it looked like Kuminga’s frustrations stemmed mostly from inconsistent minutes. But a recent report from ESPN’s Anthony Slater shed more light on the situation, revealing a deeper philosophical divide between player and coach.
According to the report, Kerr had a clear vision for what he wanted from Kuminga - and it didn’t involve him as a primary offensive weapon. Kerr saw shades of Shawn Marion and Aaron Gordon in the young forward: a high-motor athlete who could sprint the floor, crash the glass, defend multiple positions, and thrive in the dunker spot. In Kerr’s system, wings don’t need the ball in their hands to be impactful - just look at how Andre Iguodala and Andrew Wiggins fit into Golden State’s title-winning lineups.
The problem? Kuminga didn’t see himself that way - at least, not exclusively.
As he grew into his game, Kuminga believed he’d done enough in his supporting roles to earn more trust and a bigger offensive load. But that trust never fully materialized. According to sources cited in the report, Kuminga started to feel boxed in - like Kerr and GM Mike Dunleavy saw him as little more than a “run-fast, jump-high” athlete, not a player with the skill set to become a lead option.
That kind of disconnect can be tough to overcome, especially for a 23-year-old with All-Star aspirations. Kuminga didn’t just want to be a role player on a contender - he wanted to grow into something bigger. And while the Warriors acknowledged his talent, the opportunity to showcase it on his terms never quite came.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Golden State. Kuminga was one of the most physically gifted players on their roster - and, potentially, a bridge to the next era of Warriors basketball.
Instead, he’s gone, part of the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to the Bay. That move may help Golden State in the short term, but it also signals a tighter championship window.
They’re betting big on the present, not the future.
For Kuminga, the next chapter begins in Atlanta, where he joins a Hawks team that’s already building around rising star Jalen Johnson. It’s not a clean slate - but it’s close.
The Hawks are expected to retool this offseason, and if Kuminga is part of their long-term vision, he’ll have every opportunity to prove he’s more than just an athletic finisher. He’ll have the minutes, the touches, and the runway to chase the stardom he’s been eyeing.
Now it’s on him to show he can take that leap.