SAN FRANCISCO — As the regular season commenced, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr firmly established three of his five starters: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, indicating that he would rotate the remaining two positions based on matchups and performance.
A fourth starter has now been solidified. Fifth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga has performed sufficiently in his first five starts this season, according to Kerr, to claim a starting position, tasked with guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter scorer at the outset of each game.
«He’ll be our starter moving forward,» Kerr stated prior to the Warriors’ 98-79 victory against the Clippers on Tuesday evening. «He’s been remarkable. Last night, we assigned him to Ja [Morant]. Tonight, we’ll have him face James Harden. I believe he’s ready.»
This development is particularly significant given the contract backdrop that preceded it. Kuminga sought and pushed for a larger role and regular starting position throughout much of the last two seasons. He spent the previous summer exploring restricted free agency, looking for a way to secure more guaranteed playing time and chances.
However, the Warriors rejected sign-and-trade offers from the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. They leveraged his situation to retain him on a two-year, $46.8 million contract, with no assurance of additional opportunities under Kerr. The assumption was that he would begin the season in a reserve role.
But things changed. Kerr determined that Al Horford, in his 19th season, should have his playing time limited to approximately 22 minutes per game and indicated that his rotation made more sense coming off the bench. Moses Moody, the intended starter in Horford’s position, suffered a calf injury during a practice session at training camp.
This allowed Kuminga an early chance, and he has taken full advantage. Across five games, he is averaging 16.2 points on 53.7% shooting. He has hit 7 of his 16 three-point attempts. He has accumulated 37 rebounds, setting a personal record for a five-game stretch.
«His rebounding, his ability to attack the rim, that’s what distinguishes him,» Kerr said. «When he plays to that level of talent and capability, it alters our team.»
Following decisive home victories over the Grizzlies and the Clippers in the last two nights, the Warriors now stand at 4-1. In those five contests, Kuminga, Butler, and Green have shared 74 minutes on the court. The Warriors have outperformed their opponents by 37 points when this trio plays together.
Before the season began, Kerr expressed hesitation about employing those three simultaneously due to spacing issues. Recent data has altered his viewpoint.
«You’ve hardly seen any of the mid-shot clock, 17-foot pullups [from Kuminga],» Kerr noted. «He’s being more deliberate, distributing the ball to Jimmy, passing it to Steph, attacking the rim. He’s putting a lot of pressure on defenses. The combination of Jimmy, Draymond, and JK wasn’t effective last year, but due to all the advancements JK has made—especially in his passing—it’s really coming together. So we’ll maintain that.»
Kerr indicated that the fifth starter will rotate between third-year guard Brandin Podziemski and second-year center Quinten Post, depending on the matchup.
