Report: Stephen Curry’s teammate could leave Warriors next NBA season

The Golden State Warriors secured a playoff spot after a 121–116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry led the team with strong performances. Thanks to them, the franchise will now face the Houston Rockets in the next round of the season. However, Steve Kerr made a surprising call. He left one of the team’s top young talents on the bench without playing time. As a consequence, the player reportedly decided to leave the Warriors.

According to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, Jonathan Kuminga could leave the Golden State Warriors. He is only 22 years old and already a rising star. The reason behind his possible exit would be the arrival of Jimmy Butler. It does not mean that there is tension between the two. However, Butler’s presence has limited Kuminga’s time on the court. That would make his role less important moving forward.

Nonetheless, Kuminga has played 47 games this season. He is averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His consistency has been a key asset for Golden State. He ranks as the team’s fourth-leading scorer. That is impressive considering he is one of the youngest players in the lineup. Also, in a squad full of veterans, Kuminga stands out as a symbol of the franchise’s future.

Still, Steve Kerr has cut back his minutes recently. That change could push Kuminga to explore new opportunities in the NBA as he wants to grow and play a bigger role. However, many believe losing Kuminga would reflect poorly on the team’s long-term vision. The Phoenix Suns made a similar mistake by giving up on young talent. Golden State could risk losing a future star if they let him go.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr shakes hands with Jonathan Kuminga during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 20, 2024.

Steve Kerr explains Jonathan Kuminga’s reduced playing time with the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors made the playoffs. However, Jonathan Kuminga did not get any playing time in the last two games. These matchups were crucial for the team’s season. As a result, many fans questioned why the young forward saw a sudden drop in minutes. Head coach Steve Kerr stepped in to explain the reasons behind his decision.

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“I have to read what we need. I have to read who’s playing well together. And to be very frank, the Jimmy / JK (Kuminga) combination has not been great, and that’s the tricky part here,” stated Kerr. His words supported what reporter Tim Kawakami had already suggested. The arrival of Jimmy Butler changed how Kerr approached the rotation. He no longer saw the need to give Kuminga regular minutes.

Kerr continued by praising Butler and clarifying his responsibility as the team’s head coach: “And I’m playing Jimmy 40 minutes a night because Jimmy is, he’s one of the very best players in the league. And there’s a reason we’re here and we’re in the seventh seed…So my job as a coach is to keep the team on a path that I think gives us the best chance to win. And for now, that’s why I’ve been leaning into the lineups that I have.”