With 29 seconds left in the first quarter, Jonathan Kuminga stepped onto the court. Had Jimmy Butler not taken that nasty hit on the floor, would JK make it to the rotation? That’s a question you could ponder. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old played his first game since April 11. He missed the Play-in and also the first game of the Playoff series. But on Wednesday, Steve Kerr had to entrust the forward with Butler’s duties.

Kuminga played for a solid 26 minutes, hitting a couple of threes to become one of the Warriors to score in double digits. Yet, something felt off about his game. Had prolonged stagnation settled in and seemingly dulled his movement on the floor?

Golden State’s own star exposed Jonathan Kuminga’s concerning gameplay vs. Rockets in Game 2

Injuries may have backed Kerr into a corner, but Kuminga finally got his shot. After a DNP in the season finale and no action in the play-in, his future in Golden State looked grim. Yet, when Butler sat, Kuminga didn’t check in right away—but when he did, he stuck around. However, for the ex-Warriors star DeMarcus Cousins, JK’s game wasn’t exactly how he had expected.

On Run It Back, Boogie talked about Jimmy Bucket’s ‘great fall’ at Toyota Center. It was a scary fall indeed. However, the 35-year-old soldiered on to take his free throws and played for a possession before asking Kerr to take him off the court. So now, “they’re gonna depend on their guys coming off the bench—guys like Kuminga of that sort.” 

He continued, “But my fear is, at this point in the season, dude, we feel like the Warriors have lost Kuminga because—I mean, possibly confidence issues.” Boogie Cousins voices concern that the Warriors may have lost Jonathan Kuminga mentally. He hints at confidence issues, likely caused by inconsistent minutes and limited trust. Kuminga seems disengaged, unsure of his role—an alarming sign for a young player needing rhythm and consistency.

“I watched him play last night, and he didn’t seem too confident. He kinda seemed like he was a deer in the headlights. He didn’t have a flow. It didn’t seem like he was really messing with the team and what was going on,” Boogie further added. “Honestly, it felt like most of the lineups that Steve put in last night were just kinda scraping and scrambling for the most part in the game. So I did notice that, and it’s a bit of a concern, in my opinion.” 

Cousins reflected on Kuminga’s game vs. the Houston Rockets, saying he looked hesitant and out of sync, like a deer in the headlights. He didn’t seem to gel with the team or find any rhythm. Cousins also notes that Coach Kerr’s lineups felt scattered, which only added to the chaos. Now imagine all this unfolding just because the team’s second star got benched with an injury!

This brings us to a bigger question regarding JK’s future with the franchise that’s been a topic of debate for a long time. The 22-year-old forward will become a restricted free agent this summer, therefore what lies ahead for him?

Steve Kerr must be cautious about the front office’s upcoming decision on Kuminga, that is, if any

Jonathan Kuminga will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning that he isn’t completely free on the market. With a 4-year, $24 million contract in hand, the extension doesn’t seem to be coming his way as of now. Meanwhile, the Dubs front office has yet to decide on the star’s future, and it’s something that Steve Kerr should be wary of.

Chandler Parsons paints a layered picture of Jonathan Kuminga’s current predicament—and it’s not pretty. “He’s a free agent this summer, and you don’t want to have any bad, you know, talks about your name.” Translation? This is not the time for drama. Not when “the other 29 teams know that Jonathan Kuminga is a player.” The man is 22, with a 15 PPG season under his belt. Sure, “he obviously needs to work on his three-point shooting,” but the talent is there, undeniable. Yet somehow, minutes vanish when “you can find minutes for Santos and these other guys that play.” Parsons isn’t buying the matchup excuse.

This isn’t just a case of missed rotations—it’s a potential turning point. Kuminga’s been “playing all year long,” and now he’s riding waves of uncertainty. “It feels like there’s something else there,” Parsons says, hinting at a deeper rift. The mental toll? Real. “I hope he doesn’t get too mentally, you know, beaten down.” With a contract looming and his “up-and-down career” in Golden State taking its toll, Parsons implies the writing may already be on the wall. “I think he probably hopes he’s not in Golden State next year.” But here’s the twist—this could be Kuminga’s golden window. A shot to “showcase himself more to these other teams that are gonna bid on him.” In a plot full of setbacks, that sounds like the comeback chapter.

So, what now for Jonathan Kuminga? With shaky minutes, shaken confidence, and a summer payday on the line, his path feels anything but steady. Yet, if chaos breeds opportunity, this might just be his breakout moment. Either way, the clock is ticking—and so is the league’s interest.