Butler Steps In as Mediator While Warriors Work to Unlock Jonathan Kuminga
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Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga called Jimmy Butler from Marbella, Spain, in mid-September to say stalled contract talks would keep him from a player-organized minicamp at Butler’s San Diego home. Butler, taking part in a padel event when the call came, urged the 23-year-old to do “what’s best” and promised continued support.
The conversation marked the start of an unusual mentorship that now hovers over the Warriors’ season. Coaches and team officials privately acknowledge that Butler’s voice may be the best hope for repairing a relationship strained by a 92-day restricted-free-agency standoff that ended only two days into training camp.
The early surge and sudden setback
Head coach Steve Kerr installed Kuminga as a starter on opening night, and the Warriors opened 4-1. Kerr praised Kuminga’s rebounding and rim attacks, saying the third-year wing “changes our team” when aggressive. Two games later, Draymond Green volunteered to start at center against Denver so Kuminga could keep the momentum; Kuminga logged 36 minutes in an overtime win.
Momentum vanished quickly. Golden State dropped five of the next seven, Kuminga’s turnovers climbed, and Kerr returned him to the bench. “He feels like the scapegoat again,” a team source said.
Curry’s absence, new lineups and knee trouble
Stephen Curry missed three games with illness and played sparingly in several others, further muddying roles. During that stretch, Kuminga shot 1-for-9 against Indiana and drew criticism for perimeter shot selection. Knee tendinitis then sidelined him for the final four games of a 3-2 road trip, leaving him unavailable while Curry erupted for 46 and 49 points in consecutive victories.
Kerr responded with a new starting group featuring Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard, explaining that the priority was putting Curry, Butler and Green “in a position to succeed.” Green added that lineups change easily during a skid: “It’s harder to push back when you’re losing.”
Trade eligibility looms
Kuminga cannot be moved until Jan. 15 under league rules, giving both sides roughly two months to stabilize matters before trade chatter intensifies. Internally, there is agreement that a productive Kuminga—whether as core piece or trade asset—raises the club’s ceiling.
Butler’s hands-on approach
Butler has taken Kuminga to dinner after home games and on the road, sharing his own story of feeling boxed in early in his Chicago tenure. The six-time All-Star says Kuminga “has all the tools to be great” but must accept hard coaching and avoid distractions. “When JK’s doing some bull—, I’m going to tell him,” Butler said.
Kuminga, for his part, told Kerr before the season he had “been working on my Jimmy spacing” to better complement Butler and Green. The pair logged 86 minutes together over the first five contests and posted a plus-40 differential.
Next steps
The Warriors begin a five-game homestand this week that includes several practice days—time Green believes can be used to “feature” Kuminga even if he returns as a reserve. Butler agrees but stresses one condition: “Whatever we want to do, it better be toward winning. That’s all I care about.”
How quickly Kuminga regains health and confidence—and how effectively Butler can keep him engaged—may determine whether the Warriors view January as a chance to trade a disgruntled prospect or showcase a critical contributor for the stretch run.
Source: ESPN
