The Golden State Warriors are in a tough spot right now - not quite rebuilding, not quite contending, just sort of stuck in the middle. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned in the NBA, it’s that playing it safe in the middle rarely gets you anywhere. So here’s a simple idea that could help shake things up: play Jonathan Kuminga.
That’s it. That’s the move.
Kuminga hasn’t seen the floor in the last three games, and at first, it didn’t seem like a big deal. The Warriors blew out the Bulls without Steph Curry and Draymond Green, moving the ball beautifully and tapping into that classic “Strength in Numbers” identity that’s defined their dynasty. It was fun, it was nostalgic, and it gave fans a rare feel-good moment in a season that’s had more questions than answers.
But just as quickly as it came, the good vibes vanished.
Even with Curry back and doing Curry things - dazzling, efficient, game-changing - the Warriors dropped back-to-back games to a Timberwolves team missing Anthony Edwards and a Trail Blazers squad that’s been far from elite. Those losses weren’t just disappointing. They were revealing.
The Warriors can still be scrappy. They can still execute.
They can still play the right way. But without enough high-end talent, it just doesn’t matter.
The NBA isn’t a league where hustle alone gets you wins - not consistently, anyway. You need guys who can tilt the floor.
Kuminga is one of those guys.
Over the past three games, the rotation has leaned into youth and energy - guys like Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos have gotten meaningful minutes. Santos, in particular, brings a spark off the bench and has earned situational run. But as the Warriors have struggled against teams they should beat, a pattern has emerged: they’re not athletic enough, and they’re not talented enough.
That’s where Kuminga comes in.
Yes, he’s still raw. Yes, he has his flaws.
But he also brings something this team sorely lacks right now - elite athleticism, defensive versatility, and the kind of scoring punch that can change the course of a game. He’s not just one of the most talented players on this roster - he’s arguably their most talented athlete, period.
He can defend multiple positions, attack the rim with force, and rebound with authority. And in a season where the Warriors are searching for any kind of edge, that’s not something you can leave on the bench.
There’s been plenty of chatter about a potential trade, and maybe that’s where this all ends up. But until then, the Warriors need to make the most of what they’ve got. And what they’ve got is a 21-year-old forward with the tools to impact games on both ends of the floor.
Now, is there risk in playing Kuminga? Sure.
He might make mistakes. He might take a few wild shots or miss a rotation.
But the bigger risk is doing nothing - staying stuck in this no-man’s land of mediocrity, where the ceiling is low and the floor isn’t much lower. The Warriors have to be willing to aim higher, even if it means living with the growing pains.
Because right now, the version of this team that doesn’t play Kuminga isn’t working. And if the worst-case scenario is that the Warriors are still inconsistent with him in the lineup, well, that’s not much different than where they are now.
But the best-case scenario? That’s a team with a higher ceiling, a little more juice, and a shot at turning things around.
The good news? Steve Kerr seems to be on board.
Speaking to reporters, Kerr said Kuminga’s been putting in the work and will be rewarded with a return to the rotation. “He needs to be back out there,” Kerr said.
And he’s right. The Warriors need Kuminga’s talent, his energy, and his upside. They need to find out what they have - not just for this season, but for the future.
Because if they’re going to climb out of the middle, they’ll need more than just good vibes. They’ll need the kind of talent Kuminga brings every time he steps on the floor.