Jonathan Kuminga is finally slated to make his return for the Golden State Warriors. And fans can’t wait to see him back in action with the new-look Warriors. However, amidst the excitement, another insider’s report may signal the end of Kuminga’s time in the Bay Area.

The acquisition of Jimmy Butler has shaken up things in San Francisco. Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are no longer struggling in the Western Conference. In fact, they’re thriving. But Butler’s ascent within the Dubs’ roster has pushed Kuminga down the pecking order. And national reporter Ramona Shelbourne has floated by the idea that this may lead to a possible exit.

“It’s a 17-game work in progress for everybody to see how this fits. Is [Kuminga] okay being the #3? He’s shown he can be a top-2 player on a team and there might be a team out there thinking he can be the main guy,” said Shelbourne on Willard and Dibs.

And she’s right to question Kuminga’s willingness to play backup to Jimmy Butler. Kuminga was averaging 20.5 points in his last 14 games, after all. So, he may not want to be the third option on this Warriors team when another team would gladly welcome him as one of their top players. Even Jimmy Butler’s former team, the Miami Heat, may be receptive to signing Kuminga.

They’re struggling offensively this season, scoring an average of 109 points per game. They would have been in the bottom third of the Eastern Conference for points if not for the Sixers’ struggles this season. And having a unit like Kuminga in their offense will help them improve by leaps and bounds.

Furthermore, we think Kuminga may find more of a reason to leave after head coach Steve Kerr’s latest comments. Here’s what he said.

Steve Kerr says he won’t start Jonathan Kuminga once he returns from injury

We’ve all hated seeing Jonathan Kuminga on the sidelines. He’s one of the most exciting prospects for the Warriors, but an ankle sprain has kept him out for 31 consecutive games. Shams Charania recently broke the news that Kuminga may be nearing a return for the Warriors. But that doesn’t mean Coach Kerr is going to hand him a starting spot upon his return.

Here’s what the former Chicago Bulls player said about Kuminga’s role when he returns: “The operating plan is to win the game. So whatever that takes. I won’t put him in the starting lineup. We’ll keep starting the way we’re starting, we’re on a roll. So he’ll come off the bench.” It’s smart on Kerr’s part not to disrupt the team’s flow by rushing back Kuminga, who may be rusty after sitting out for the last couple of months.

Kerr elaborated on how he can eventually integrate Kuminga into the Warriors lineup. “[The team] has potential to be a dynamic lineup on both ends. But we also don’t wanna disrupt the rhythm that we’re in right now…It just has to be a process of getting a feel for each game. And we’ll get to that combination at some point. But I can’t tell you right now when that’ll be,” said Kerr. Sound logic from Kerr there!

Tinkering with the team will work just as well, if not better, than uphauling the entire starting lineup just because one player is back. Even if that player is Jonathan Kuminga. But Kerr will want to deal with this situation tactfully. Lest Ramona Shelbourne’s words come true!