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When Steve Kerr said, “I won’t put Kuminga in the starting lineup. So, he’ll come off the bench,” it was clear he had a very specific plan in mind. Kerr was sticking to what had worked so well — after all, the Warriors were flying high with a 13-2 record since Jimmy Butler’s arrival. And honestly, changing the lineup at that point could have messed with the winning chemistry they had built. But sometimes, sports have a way of throwing curveballs, and unfortunately for the Warriors, that’s exactly what happened.

Now, with unexpected changes forcing adjustments, Carmelo Anthony believes that this sudden twist could actually end up shaping Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the franchise. By now, most fans know the tough news — Butler missed Game 3 against Houston after that nasty fall in Game 2, which left him dealing with a pelvis injury and a deep gluteal muscle contusion. As Jimmy Butler’s return remains up in the air, Melo feels this is Kuminga’s golden opportunity to step up. And if he doesn’t? Well, it might not end well.

“He should be looking at Jimmy’s playbook… I’m not asking for 25. I’m not asking for 20, but I’m asking for the productivity across the board. Kuminga is a big part of that team… I don’t think people understand that,” Anthony pointed out, urging the young forward to embrace the moment. Adding to that, Melo’s co-host, Kazeem Famuyide, chimed in with an interesting observation. He mentioned how Kuminga’s minutes had shrunk since Butler came on board, making it even more critical for the 22-year-old to make the most of this window.

But Carmelo Anthony didn’t beat around the bush. He laid it out straight: “You’re up next. I [Steve Kerr] need you to be ready, Kuminga… Need you to be ready. I need the same exact sh*t in your way. And if you’re not giving me that presence on the court, you don’t fit in what I’m trying to do.” No sugarcoating, no filters — just the harsh reality of the NBA.

Fortunately, the Warriors did pull off a win in Game 3, even without Jimmy Butler. But Kuminga’s stat line — 7 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists as a starter — leaves plenty of room for improvement and also leaves speculations around his future with the Warriors.

What did Steve Kerr have to say about Jonathan Kuminga after Game 3?

Kuminga’s Game 3 performance? Well, it left a lot to be desired. The young forward logged just 17 minutes—the least among all Warriors starters. And when it mattered most, Steve Kerr leaned on Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II to close the game, trusting their combination of shooting and versatility a little more.

Afterward, all eyes turned to Kerr’s post-game remarks about Kuminga. Kerr didn’t hold back from highlighting how unpredictable these moments can be, saying, “Every game is different. JK could come in next game and have a monster game.” In simpler terms, the 22-year-old’s potential isn’t the issue here. The real story brewing? What could be happening behind the scenes?

Reports are beginning to heat up, linking the Brooklyn Nets to the 22-year-old forward. Some insiders even believe the Warriors could be inching closer to parting ways with him. Meanwhile, Kerr didn’t shy away from acknowledging the rocky road Kuminga faced, mentioning, “He missed three games. We didn’t play him three games. That’s not an easy thing to do.” Yet, he still gave Kuminga his flowers, noting, “I thought he came in and gave us important minutes.”

Still, if you watched closely, you probably noticed the same problems resurfacing from Game 2. Even though the Rockets threw their entire defense at Stephen Curry, Kuminga couldn’t take full advantage of the openings. Now, with Game 4 looming, it feels like a make-or-break moment for the 22-year-old GSW future. However, believe it or not, a lot of it could ride on whether Jimmy Butler makes it back to the floor.