No matter how much noise surrounds the Warriors heading into the 2025 playoffs, one thing fans can’t shake off? Jonathan Kuminga straight-up vanishing from two of their most crucial games. Golden State faced off against the Clippers and Grizzlies in back-to-back matchups that felt like playoff previews. You’d think JK, who’s been one of their more promising young pieces, would get at least a few minutes. But nope. The guy didn’t touch the floor.

Not once. Two games. Two DNPs. Nothing.

Sure, coaches tighten up rotations this time of year, especially with the stakes rising. But this felt less like a playoff warmup and more like Kuminga got written out of the script. Like, did someone misplace his jersey or what? And now Anthony Slater has provided some fresh intel.

According to Anthony Slater, the expectation is that Kuminga will not be part of the Warriors’ initial Game 1 rotation as they face the Houston Rockets in their playoff opener. Slater added that Kuminga could potentially emerge as an in-game or in-series adjustment depending on how things unfold.

This development adds another layer of intrigue to Kuminga’s role, or lack thereof, as the postseason begins. With his significant potential and flashes of brilliance during the regular season, fans and analysts alike are left wondering why he’s being kept on the bench for such high-stakes games. The idea of him being an “in-game adjustment” suggests that the Warriors could turn to him if needed, possibly based on matchup changes or injuries. But for now, it looks like he’ll have to watch from the sidelines as the series kicks off.

So, what’s going on here? Well, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t mince words when discussing why Kuminga is in this tough spot. Speaking to 95.7 The Game‘s Mark Willard and Dan Dibley, Kerr gave an honest take on how things unfolded for the young forward. “Mostly, I feel for JK, because I like him. He’s been here for four years, he’s a talented guy. Sometimes things go in a different direction. I think what happened here is pretty obvious; I’ve talked about it. Jimmy Butler came in,” Kerr said.

Kerr laid out how the arrival of Butler shifted the Warriors’ strategy, pointing out how the team’s entire playstyle evolved once Butler joined the squad. “When JK was out, we traded for Jimmy and they play the same position. Our whole team changed. We became an ISO team with Jimmy. Movement with Steph [Curry] and iso with Jimmy. Jimmy is one of the best players in the league, so it’s not as simple as just saying, ‘Oh, OK we’ll just play them together.’ Basketball doesn’t work that way.”

Kerr then went on to explain how the Warriors found success after Butler came aboard: “The puzzle has to fit. We found a really good formula when JK was injured and we got Jimmy. I think we went 18-2 or something right away. So we found lineup combinations that have clicked, and we’re winning and we have to stick with that.” It’s tough for Kuminga, no doubt. “It’s brutal for JK, it really is. He’s a young player, he wants to play, and he’s absolutely talented enough to play. He still may be a part of the equation in this series and maybe the next series after that.”

While Kuminga’s role this season may not be what many expected, his potential is undeniable. Averaging 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds before his ankle injury, the 22-year-old had been a solid contributor. But for now, as Kerr works with his rotation, Kuminga’s time to shine might just come at a crucial moment in the postseason. The question is: will he get that chance? Only time will tell.

Because as questions swirl about how the Warriors really view Kuminga, some teams are already watching closely.

The Nets are eyeing Jonathan Kuminga

The Warriors say they’re all in on keeping Jonathan Kuminga. Owner Joe Lacob told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater they’re “100 percent” committed. “I love that guy,” he said. “We love him.” But not everyone seems sold. According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, Steve Kerr and others hoped JK would’ve grown more as a playmaker by now.

That hesitation could open the door for other teams—especially the Brooklyn Nets. Stein and Fischer noted Brooklyn has “long loomed” as a potential suitor. It’s still unclear how aggressive they’ll be, but the interest is definitely there.

And why not? The Nets just limped to a 26-56 record and are sitting on the most cap space in the NBA heading into 2025-26 (per Spotrac). They’ve got room to throw Kuminga a serious offer and plug him into a young core that needs a spark.

Meanwhile, Kuminga’s rookie deal is up this summer. He and the Warriors tried to work out an extension before the season, but talks stalled before the deadline. Then the Jimmy Butler trade shuffled the rotation and raised more questions about his long-term fit.

So now it’s a waiting game. Will Golden State actually make him a priority, or will a team like Brooklyn take the leap? Either way, this offseason might be Kuminga’s biggest career turning point yet.