Steve Kerr did not hold back when discussing Jonathan Kuminga’s new role on the Golden State Warriors following the addition of Jimmy Butler III. Butler’s arrival has provided a spark for the team as they head into the season’s final stretch.
Kuminga has missed several games this season due to an ankle injury and has appeared in only 32 games for the Warriors. Since he’s returning to a team that looks much different from when he last played, Golden State’s head coach made it clear that Kuminga will need to adjust.
Steve Kerr Says Jonathan Kuminga Will Need to Support Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry
Kuminga has missed more than two months since injuring his ankle on Jan. 4, and though he has been cleared to return, Kerr emphasized it’ll be to a very different team.
The change started when the Warriors acquired six-time All-Star Butler from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline.
So far, it has paid off.
The Warriors have won 12 of their last 14 games, emerging as a sleeper team in the Western Conference. They currently hold the No. 6 seed at 37-28 and could receive a significant roster boost with Kuminga’s return.
Understanding Butler’s impact, Kerr didn’t mince words, stating that Kuminga must adjust his playstyle to fit into the new-look Warriors.
“I think [Kuminga’s] last couple of weeks, we were really running a lot of things through him because Jimmy wasn’t here yet,” Kerr said. “Now that Jimmy’s here … look, Jimmy’s one of the best players in the league. He’s proven it. Soon as he got here, we started winning.
“So we’re gonna run through Jimmy Butler and run through Stephen Curry, and so what that requires of JK is to be settling into a role to support those guys. That’s slightly different, and that’s something he’s going to have to adapt to.”
Kerr on how Kuminga will have to adapt after he returns ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/9pOWbKuVyS
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There’s no denying that Kerr makes a valid point. Butler led the Heat to the NBA Finals twice and is an established star. Since he and Kuminga play similar positions, the young Warriors forward will have to adjust to a role with fewer touches.
Kerr also emphasized that winning games is the team’s top priority. He made it clear that playing time will be determined by production. Now, fans are eager to see what the Warriors will look like with Kuminga back in the lineup.