Jonathan Kuminga was as soon as considered as the way forward for the Golden State Warriors.
Many believed he can be the franchise’s face after the Stephen Curry period, although after 4 seasons, that prediction seems to be in query.
Warriors proprietor Joe Lacob has lengthy been one in every of Jonathan Kuminga’s largest believers.
It’s no secret that he’s a serious fan of the younger ahead and was the driving drive behind the choice to pick out Kuminga within the 2021 NBA Draft over different prospects like Franz Wagner.
Lacob even spoke to Kuminga immediately this summer season when the contract stalemate was nonetheless removed from resolved.
In a current admission, Lacob revealed that he even requested head coach Steve Kerr to offer Kuminga a extra important function and play him at the very least 25 minutes per recreation.
“Sure, these conversations have occurred, however they’ve occurred perhaps in a different way. Steve and I speak, however look, I let Steve do his job,” Lacob revealed.
“He’s the coach. He’s in his twelfth yr as our coach. It’s not like I’m on the market firing coaches yearly and paying three totally different coaches at one time. We don’t try this.”
“We’re believers in continuity and we’re believers in Steve Kerr. He’s our coach. He’s finished an important job. He’s gained 4 championships. It’s his job. He coaches the group,” he added.
Traditionally, Kerr’s rotations mirror his personal teaching philosophy, regardless of Lacob’s enter.
Out of 4 seasons Kuminga has performed with the Warriors, he has solely registered a median of over 25 minutes per recreation as soon as, which occurred within the 2023-24 season when he began 46 video games.
Final season, his common minutes dropped to 24.3, with Kuminga beginning solely 10 video games.
Lacob clarified that his discussions with Kerr weren’t restricted to simply Kuminga.
“So, positive, we’ve had discussions, however they’re in all probability extra different than you suppose and about different topics, apart from simply JK,” Lacob mentioned.
Finally, the dynamic highlights Kerr’s unwavering idealism: gamers who don’t match the intricate system constructed round Stephen Curry is not going to obtain important enjoying time, no matter exterior stress.
