The Jonathan Kuminga saga ended with him returning to the Golden State Warriors on a two-year deal.
Following his new deal, Jonathan Kuminga is seemingly trying to start a new chapter in his career with the Golden State Warriors.
After all, Kuminga has changed his jersey number ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. But even with a new number and deal, Kuminga’s future with the Warriors isn’t expected to be smooth.
However, former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone believes there’s a way to make things better for Kuminga.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesMichael Malone urges Steve Kerr to improve communication with Jonathan Kuminga
Even with Kuminga returning to the team, he won’t have a solid season without being on the same page with head coach Steve Kerr.
After all, it was coach Kerr’s decision to bench him that led to a turbulent summer for Kuminga and the Warriors. Coming to Malone’s point, he wants Kerr to establish better communication with the young star.
“It comes down to communication. Steve’s come out and said it, that communication is key. Him and Kuminga have a relationship, but they have to sit down in the room,” Malone said on NBA Countdown.
He added: “And right now it’s a battle between Steve Kerr saying, ‘This is what we want’, and then Kuminga is saying, ‘Well, this is what I want’, and that they have to find a way to marry that and merge that.”
Additionally, Malone reminded Kerr about Kuminga’s talent by recalling his performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
“You look at what Jonathan Kuminga did in games 2,3,4, and 5 in that series against Minnesota, when Steph Curry got hurt, Kuminga became a focal point and showed out.
“They didn’t win any of those games. But did he find a way to step up and be a part of this team,” Malone stated.
Michael Malone makes a Michael Porter Jr. and Jonathan Kuminga comparison
Putting aside the chaotic contract negotiation, fans cannot deny Kuminga’s skill on the hardwood. As Malone mentioned earlier, JK did step up vs. the Timberwolves during the 2025 postseason.
Adding more to his point, Malone compared Kuminga’s current situation to that of Michael Porter Jr. during his early days with the Nuggets.
“Most importantly, Steve said it, if he defends, he rebounds, and he runs, he’s going to play. If he does those things he’s gonna have a greater chance to go out there and help impact,” he continued.
“I feel as you mentioned Michael Porter, I think Kuminga closes a lot of games, because he’s too young, too talented, and too athletic not to,” Malone concluded.
In simple terms, Malone predicted that Kuminga will become a top-notch closer for the Warriors during the course of the season.