It’s hard to fault the Golden State Warriors at the moment. From the time they boldly added Jimmy Butler to their roster, the team looked motivated and brimming with confidence. With him in the lineup, the Bay has only lost once. The scary part is that the rotations have the potential to be exponentially better. Jonathan Kuminga is getting very close to making his return to the court since suffering from a severe ankle sprain in January.

Initially, the Warriors didn’t think Kuminga had suffered such a major ailment. But now he has missed 28 straight games. “It’s just the injury itself… was… I think more serious than anybody realized you know and some of these things you just can’t predict,” Steve Kerr mentioned about the injury.

Jonathan Kuminga made his return to practice on February 20, sparking hope that he’d be back in action during the Warriors’ current road trip. But as days pass, that seems less and less likely.

Head coach Steve Kerr addressed the situation, shedding light on Kuminga’s recovery. “There’s no exact recipe for these injuries, and everybody heals differently. I think as it’s turned out, JK’s injury was probably, you know, more of a setback than we realized in the beginning,” Kerr admitted.

With no clear timeline, the Warriors might have to wait a little longer before their high-flying forward is back on the court.

It seems Kuminga’s recovery pace isn’t as quick as the team projected it to be. However, the Warriors forward continues to work hard, dedicating himself to regular practice to be back out with his teammates as soon as he can. “He’s working hard, he’s working every day. Had a really good workout today and it does feel like he’s getting close. But you know we you just got to do the right thing and that’s what we’re all trying to do.” the Warriors coach pointed out on 95.7 The Game.

Remember, this is a pivotal season for Kuminga. He is one of the few players from his draft class who hasn’t received an extension just yet. In the summer, he will be eligible to sign a mammoth extension depending on whether the Warriors feel he can be the beacon of the future.

But since going down, the dynamics of the team have changed. That makes me wonder, will Kuminga get a fair shot at displaying his gifts and talent?

Can Steve Kerr keep Jonathan Kumina engaged?

Bringing in Jimmy Butler has been a fascinating move for the Warriors. With him on the floor, the offense finally has another go-to option beyond Stephen Curry. His veteran presence and high basketball IQ have given the team a new dimension. But where does that leave Jonathan Kuminga? Well, that’s where things get interesting.

Kuminga and Butler share a similar role on the court, and Steve Kerr hasn’t hesitated to shift some of JK’s responsibilities onto the former Heat star. Butler isn’t a high-volume three-point shooter—he attacks the rim, pressures defenses, and racks up trips to the free-throw line. Sound familiar? Their playing styles are eerily similar, and so are their numbers. Since joining the Warriors, Butler has averaged 6.7 free throw attempts per game. Over his last 10 games, Kuminga has actually outpaced him, averaging 7.8.

The overlap is undeniable, and it raises an important question—how will Kerr balance their roles moving forward?

However, if it comes down to preference, Butler will probably take the nod over his youn counterpart. The salary disparity is one part of the equation. In addition, Butler’s passing instincts and ability to create his own offense are both at this moment enhanced in comparison to Jonathan Kuminga. He also has a far better conversion rate from the free-throw line.

Hence, a conundrum falls upon Steve Kerr. How does he manage to not only provide good minutes to Kuminga but also have lineups where both he and Butler can co-exist. It’s surely possible. Because unlike Butler, Kuminga has actively worked on his three-point shooting. Over his last 15 games, he shot over 40% from beyond the arc.

Given their defensive prowess, Kerr could look to run a lineup with both Butler and Kuminga to disrupt offenses during close encounters. Another positive about having Butler is the 22 year old’s excitement. Kuminga wants to learn about the trades from Butler. “I feel like I see myself kind of like having a similar type of game,” says the energetic forward.

Butler’s introduction might slice Kuminga’s chances of landing a max extension. But there is an upside, to learn from one of the best at his craft. If he can display patience, maybe Kuminga can become the Warriors’ focal player after Stephen Curry.