Steve Kerr shares why Jonathan Kuminga is ready to be full-time Warriors starter originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 2025-26 NBA season is young, but Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga already is proving doubters wrong with a strong start to his fifth professional campaign.

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After four years of varying minutes amid an uncertain role, plus a months-long contract saga this offseason, the 23-year-old has earned coach Steve Kerr’s confidence just four games into the new campaign — along with a permanent role in Golden State’s starting lineup.

“He’ll start tonight, and he’ll be our starter going forward,” Kerr told reporters before the Warriors’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at Chase Center. “He’s been fantastic. Last night put him on [Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant], tonight we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready to take on that role defensively.

“And what he’s doing offensively, the decision making, the shot selection. You’ve hardly seen any of the mid-shot clock, 17-foot pull-ups. You’re seeing him being much more purposeful, getting the ball to Jimmy [Butler], getting the ball to Steph [Curry], attacking the rim. He’s really putting a lot of pressure on people.”

Through the first four contests of the season, all starts, Kuminga is averaging 18.0 points on 58.1 percent shooting with 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Most notable is how he has jelled with Butler and Draymond Green in the starting lineup, after Kerr last season expressed worry about the fit.

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“The biggest thing is the combination of Jimmy and Draymond and JK wasn’t great last year, but because of all the improvements JK has made, his passing and then the stuff I just mentioned, it’s just really clicking,” Kerr continued. “And so we’re going to stay with that.”

After signing a new contract for a reported two years and $48.5 million, Kuminga vowed he was ready to get to work and do whatever it took to help the Warriors win an NBA championship. As the young forward’s on-court play lines up with his words so far, both Kerr and the rest of Golden State couldn’t be happier.

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