Here’s a breakdown of the story — what Jimmy Butler said, how it connects to Steve Kerr’s shift in approach, and what it means for Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors going forward.
🗞 The Context: Kerr Promises Change, Emphasizes Youth
Golden State’s new-look season has been marked by a more deliberate push to integrate younger players into bigger roles.
Coach Steve Kerr signaled that he’ll “go back and forth” in his rotations, adjusting starts and lineups based on matchups and opportunities to lean into development.
Specifically, Kerr mentioned alternating Quinten Post and Brandin Podziemski in different starting roles depending on matchup needs.
Kerr has also publicly praised the young core: commending Kuminga’s defensive play, improved chemistry, and willingness to stay in his lane.
So Kerr is signaling a cultural shift: veterans remain important, but the youth must show up — and get opportunities.
🎙 Butler’s Message to Kuminga
Rather than celebrating his own numbers after a big win over the Clippers, Butler used his platform to deliver something deeper:
1. Focus on winning his minutes
> “You work on your stuff in the offseason, but when you’re on the floor, are you winning your minutes? I think as of late, [Kuminga’s] been doing it.”
Butler is pushing Kuminga not just to “look the part” but to do the work on the court — to earn his sacrifice via impact.
2. Praise for defensive and overall growth
Butler stressed how key Kuminga is to their two-way plans:
> “He’s key in what we’re trying to do this season on both sides of the ball… I love it when he’s guarding at a high level… He’s been playing off the charts.”
He’s also been mentoring him during camp and practices, helping ground Kuminga in what winning on a veteran-laden team requires.
3. A vet’s care, with tough love
Butler has told Kuminga that mistakes are okay, but the responses matter:
> “Sometimes it may not always come off the way that you want it to, but I tell him, I promise that it’s in good faith … Nobody’s just yelling at you to yell at you.”
This underscores that Butler isn’t just demanding — he’s investing in Kuminga’s mental and professional growth.
Through those messages, Butler is setting a tone: high standards wrapped in mentorship. He’s positioning himself as a guide, not just a scorer.
✅ Early Signs, Stakes, and What to Watch
Edrly Signs
Kuminga’s efficiency has improved dramatically. Through the early stretch, he shot ~53.7%, up from ~45.4% last season.
He’s become more unselfish — cutting down on isolation, making hustle plays, helping the team more consistently.
Kerr has indicated Kuminga has “earned a permanent place in the starting lineup.”
The Stakes
The Warriors have an older core (Curry, Draymond, Butler). Their window is finite, and decisions about rotation, load management, and youth development matter now.
Kuminga is a restricted free agent, so how he performs this year — and how the team shows faith — will influence his future with Golden State.
The margin for error is small: if Kuminga fails to produce, Kerr may revert to more veteran-heavy lineups.
What to Watch
Consistency: Can Kuminga bring this elevated play over many games, especially in tougher matchups?
Defensive matchups: Butler has praised Kuminga’s defense; whether he can guard top wings night after night matters.
Chemistry with veterans: How well he plays alongside Curry, Butler, Draymond — and in Kerr’s flexible rotations — will be key.
Minutes and lineup usage: Kerr’s tactical moves (e.g. who starts, who closes) will tell us how much trust the staff has.
In sum: Butler’s message to Kuminga is powerful not because it’s unprecedented, but because it’s rooted in respect, accountability, and belief. Kerr’s promise of change gives the structural backing. For Kuminga, this could be a turning point — not just for his career, but for the trajectory of this Warriors team.