Jonathan Kuminga finally spoke for himself. For weeks, teammates and coaches had answered questions about his absence. Draymond Green and Stephen Curry fielded them at Warriors Media Day. A day later, coach Steve Kerr cut them off after a few minutes.
On Thursday, two days after signing a new contract and hours after his first practice of the season, Kuminga addressed reporters directly.
“It’s part of what we do. It’s a business,” Kuminga said. “At the end of the day, all that matters is that we got it done and I’m excited to be here.”
When Jonathan Kuminga made 7’1” Chet Holmgren look 5’5”. 💀😳 pic.twitter.com/PidOXhjGdD
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 2, 2025
Restricted Free Agency Ends
Kuminga’s restricted free agency lasted all three months of the offseason and spilled into the opening week of training camp. The 22-year-old forward signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract Wednesday that includes a team option in the second year.
Once Jan. 15 arrives, the Warriors will have a three-week window to decide if they want to trade him before the Feb. 5 deadline. The deal gives the front office flexibility, but Kuminga insisted he does not view it as merely betting on himself.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Kuminga said. “But I’ll tell you, me betting on myself is helping us win a championship. And I think that’s our goal and how we all look at it. I’m blessed, I’m glad I got this done.”
During the holdout, the only time Kuminga offered a public glimpse of his feelings came in July, when he posted a photo with agent Aaron Turner on Instagram captioned: “I’ll bet on myself all day #JustKnow.”
Eyeing Consistency
Kuminga enters his fifth NBA season with a track record of growth mixed with challenges. Drafted No. 7 overall in 2021, he was part of a youth movement that also included James Wiseman and Moses Moody. But Curry led the Warriors to an unexpected championship in Kuminga’s rookie year, focusing priorities toward maximizing the veteran core.
The forward’s 2024–25 season was interrupted by a badly sprained ankle in January that sidelined him for more than two months. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 47 games and started only 10 times.
After Jimmy Butler joined the roster, Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 15 games with him. In the postseason, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists across eight games.
“I’ve seen certain things where people just be thinking that I think about offense,” Kuminga said. “I’m always going to get better on offense. But even defense-wise, like I said, I’ve been in this league going through my fifth year. I look at things differently now. I feel ready to get going.”
Kerr on Wednesday reaffirmed what he has long told Kuminga: his role depends on energy, defense and attention to detail.
The Warriors’ offense will continue to flow through Curry, Green and Butler, but Kuminga has the chance to impact games by running the floor, rebounding and guarding top assignments.
“Just helping us win,” Kuminga said. “Find a way to help us win. Both ends — defense, offense — just find a way to be a piece that’s going to help us win games and hopefully a championship. Being involved on both sides. Finding a way to have an impact. If it’s defense, if it’s an assignment, just go guard the best player. Or if they need me to score. … I feel like that’s what I’m looking forward to and I am very open-minded.”
Jonathan Kuminga is back at practice and wearing No. 1 pic.twitter.com/z02yAHqWU4
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 2, 2025
Teammates Step In
While Kuminga negotiated, teammates made clear they wanted him back. Green said he spoke directly with him about staying in Golden State.
“I believe anyone should aspire to stay with the franchise that drafted them, and I think he still wants to be here,” Green said. “He told me he wants to be with Golden State. When you’re still with the franchise that picked you, regardless of the circumstances, you don’t just give that up and say, ‘Let someone else take it,’ because you can never regain that opportunity.”
At Media Day, Green acknowledged the setback of beginning camp without Kuminga, saying it disrupted how the group typically builds rhythm at the start of a season.
“It sucks for all those guys involved,” Green said. “Like I said, including JK, you don’t get the opportunity to start your thing how you normally start your thing, and saying that, we all understand this situation. He’s got to do what he’s got to do for himself. This is a business, you know, and that’s where I think you have to always understand, like, it’s unfortunate when the business side gets in front of things, but it is the business, and you can’t ignore that side of things.”
Curry added that while the process kept Kuminga away from the team for most of the summer, the Warriors respected how he handled it and expect him to be ready now that his deal is finalized.
“You have a guy who is trying to figure out his situation, and we respect that process,” Curry said. “It’s going to play out. When he’s here ready to work, we expect him to be locked in on doing what he needs to do to help us win.”
A “New Start”
Along with the new contract, Kuminga will have a different number on his jersey this season. After wearing 00 in his first four years, he switched to No. 1 — the number he wore at St. Patrick High School in New Jersey.
“A new start,” Kuminga said. “I wanted to go back to my actual number that I used to wear when I was at [St. Patrick High School]. I just wanted to try new things, you know.”
Asked whether he wants to remain in Golden State long term, Kuminga raised his hands before answering.
“I’m here now,” he said. “That’s everybody’s goal, to be somewhere for longer. You never know how your future will be determined. So far, that’s my goal and what I want to accomplish is being here longer.”
The Warriors will determine whether Kuminga is a long-term piece or a trade asset in the months ahead. For now, both sides are focused on the season in front of them.
“I feel ready,” Kuminga said.
