The reason Steve Kerr has "fallen in love" with Kuminga again

Before the start of the 2025/26 NBA season, it seemed that Jonathan Kuminga's future was far from the Golden State Warriors. The player was not renewing, and everything pointed to a trade. However, he ended up renewing, and now he is one of Steve Kerr's favorites.

The Warriors have found in Jonathan Kuminga a new version of himself at the beginning of the 2025-26 season. In his fifth year in the NBA, the Congolese forward seems to have made a qualitative leap that has not gone unnoticed by his coach, Steve Kerr, who did not hesitate to praise his maturity and his impact on the collective game.

During his first three appearances this season, Kuminga has shown a significant improvement in game reading and decision-making, aspects that Kerr considers essential in his development.

“His passes have improved drastically,” the coach said after Friday's 139-119 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers. “He has made many good passes, not only in games but also in practices. He sees the court better. I like his approach, I like the vibe he gives off. He is confident. Feels part of the group and what we are trying to build.”

The change is not only noticeable in the coach's comments but also in the statistics. Kuminga averages 4.0 assists per game, more than double the 1.8 he had averaged over his first four seasons in the NBA. Furthermore, he has taken on a much more important role in the rotation, with an average of 31 minutes per game, his highest figure since joining the league.

A more complete and mature player

Kuminga's progress comes after a hectic summer, marked by contract negotiations that extended his future with the Warriors. However, according to Kerr, the 23-year-old has managed to keep his focus on basketball and regain the respect and trust of the team. “After everything related to the contract, I think his teammates —Jimmy [Butler], Steph [Curry], [Draymond Green]— were amazing with him. They reminded him that contracts are contracts. What's important is the daily work,” explained the coach.

And that work shows on the court. Beyond his assists, Kuminga is showing a more advanced tactical understanding, finding his teammates in the right spots and executing patiently in high-pressure situations. To this is added his usual explosiveness: his spectacular dunks against Portland reminded why his athletic potential has always been one of the most striking in his generation.

Golden State is going through a phase of balancing the experience of its veterans with the growth of its new generation of talents, and Kuminga is shaping up as the link between both generations. “JK has had a really good start to the season,” Kerr acknowledged. “I'm proud of how he's playing and excited about what lies ahead for him and the team.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La razón por la que Steve Kerr se ha vuelto a "enamorar" de Kuminga