Jonathan Kuminga and his departure from the Golden State Warriors marks the end of a development project that never fully aligned with the franchise’s championship timeline. After more than four seasons with the organization, Kuminga was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal that brought Kristaps Porziņģis to Golden State, closing a chapter that head coach Steve Kerr admitted was complicated from the start.
Kuminga entered the league with enormous upside after being selected 7th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft following his stint with the NBA G League Ignite. However, balancing his long-term development with Golden State’s win-now mentality proved challenging throughout his tenure.
“I think it was a tough situation for everybody, given how raw he was when he got here and given we were still playing for championships,” Kerr said, according to Slater of ESPN.
“He needed the runway to make more mistakes. He needed the experience of being in the NBA and understanding what it was about. For him, it was very tough not being allowed to make those mistakes. For us as a staff, it was tricky trying to develop him while we were trying to win. I think it’s as simple as that.”
Despite flashes of high-level production, Kuminga struggled to find consistent minutes in Golden State’s crowded rotation. During his rookie season, he played a supporting role in the Warriors’ championship run and delivered several strong playoff performances. However, sustaining that momentum proved difficult as the organization remained focused on maximizing the remaining prime years of Stephen Curry.
“Everybody liked him. I liked him. He’s a really good guy. Very personable. Well-liked in the locker room. Just a tough fit,” Kerr told Slater, via ESPN.
Kuminga began the 2025-26 season with promise after signing a two-year deal worth approximately $48.5 million. He averaged over 17 points per game across his first 9 starts while shooting efficiently from the field and three-point range. However, injuries, inconsistent performances, and lineup changes eventually pushed him out of the rotation, leading to a trade request.
READ MORE: Mavericks Send Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in Stunning Trade