If the Warriors are to reach their goals in the 2025-26 NBA season, Jonathan Kuminga figures to be a big reason why.
But, as Golden State coach Steve Kerr sees it, there’s still a sizable hurdle for Kuminga to clear: playing effectively with Warriors stars Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. And in Sunday’s 111-103 preseason win against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kerr wasn’t impressed.
“Well, there wasn’t much spacing, which is the big concern,” Kerr said of the Kuminga-Big Three lineup in his post-practice press conference Tuesday. “But we’ve got to continue to give them some looks.”
Kuminga finished with five points in 15 minutes on Sunday, days after signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract to remain with Golden State after a prolonged restricted free agency. However, the Warriors’ offense seemed to sputter when he shared the floor with the team’s other stars.
“It still feels to me like if we’re trying to play Jimmy, JK [and] Draymond, just from the other night, immediately…the spacing was not great,” Kerr said. “And it puts pressure on our offense to really have to execute. But it’s early in camp, too.”
Neither Kuminga, nor Green nor Butler, is considered to be a strong 3-point shooter, which limits how far the Warriors can stretch opposing defenses when they all are on the court. Kerr is hoping that the addition of center Al Horford will help solve that problem and let Kuminga find lineups to thrive in.
“I think Al kind of changes the equation here,” Kerr said. “I’m really intrigued to put Al and JK together with Draymond or Jimmy. That lineup makes perfect sense.”
Kerr added that the Warriors will continue to explore every option in an effort to unlock the 23-year-old Kuminga.
“If we can execute the stuff we’re trying to operate, then it can be effective,” Kerr said. “It’s just not a smooth fit.”
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