Steve Kerr Confirms Jonathan Kuminga Will Remain in Warriors’ Starting Five
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced Tuesday that forward Jonathan Kuminga will hold a permanent spot in the team’s starting lineup “going forward.” The declaration came shortly before the Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 98–79 at Chase Center.
“He’ll be our starter going forward,” Kerr told reporters. “He’s been fantastic. Last night we put him on Ja [Morant]. Tonight we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready.”
The new-look lineup
Kuminga, 23, now starts alongside veterans Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. The fifth starting position had been unsettled after offseason acquisition Al Horford was slated for a reserve role capped at roughly 22 minutes per game, and Moses Moody suffered a calf strain during training camp. The injury opened the door for Kuminga, who is in his fifth NBA season.
Contract and early-season production
Earlier this month, Kuminga signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract that carries a team option for the second season. Through five games he is averaging 16.2 points while shooting 53.7 percent from the field, including 7-for-16 from three-point range. His 37 total rebounds over that span are the most he has recorded in any five-game stretch.
Kerr praised Kuminga’s work on the glass: “The way he’s rebounding, the way he’s attacking the rim, that’s what makes him special. When he’s playing to that ability, it changes our team.”
Early impact with Butler and Green
According to ESPN Stats & Information, the trio of Kuminga, Butler and Green has logged 74 minutes and outscored opponents by 37 points. Last season the same combination underperformed, prompting Kerr to monitor their chemistry closely this year.
Per Basketball-Reference, Kuminga averaged 6.8 rebounds per 36 minutes last season; that figure is up to 8.8 through the first five games of 2025-26. Kerr attributed the jump to a “mindset” change rather than any technical adjustment.
Road schedule ahead
Golden State begins a lengthy trip Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, the first of 10 road contests in the next 12 games.
Source: Basketball Insiders
