The Golden State Warriors are experiencing a resurgence following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler and the anticipated return of Jonathan Kuminga. Since Butler’s arrival, the team has achieved a 3-1 record, with Butler contributing an average of 21.3 points, seven rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. His presence has revitalized the Warriors’ postseason aspirations, providing a fresh start as they aim to climb the Western Conference standings.
Jonathan Kuminga, who has been sidelined since January 4 due to a significant right ankle sprain, has returned to practice as of February 19. Before his injury, Kuminga was averaging 16.8 points, five rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 32 games, marking the best stretch of his young NBA career. His reintegration is expected to bolster the team’s depth and versatility, especially in small-ball lineups where head coach Steve Kerr plans to increase Draymond Green’s playing time at center.
The combination of Butler’s veteran experience and Kuminga’s athleticism is anticipated to enhance the Warriors’ performance on both ends of the court. Butler’s playmaking and defensive prowess complement Kuminga’s dynamic scoring ability, offering the team multiple offensive and defensive options. As the Warriors approach the final stretch of the season, the synergy between these two players will be crucial in their quest for a stable playoff position.
Looking ahead, the Warriors have several key matchups, including a game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM PST. These upcoming games will be pivotal as the team aims to solidify its standing in the competitive Western Conference.
Jonathan Kuminga’s return will be a major storyline as the Warriors push for a playoff spot. His athleticism, defensive versatility, and scoring ability will be key in integrating him into a roster that now includes Jimmy Butler. With the Warriors emphasizing small-ball lineups and Draymond Green playing more minutes at center, Kuminga’s ability to defend multiple positions and attack the rim will be crucial.
The team will monitor his progress closely, ensuring that he’s fully ready before returning to game action. If he regains his pre-injury form—where he was averaging 16.8 points, five rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game—he could significantly boost the Warriors’ depth and playoff chances.
That’s a fair concern. Butler and Kuminga have similar offensive tendencies—they both thrive in attacking the rim rather than spacing the floor with outside shooting. Integrating Kuminga alongside Butler could be tricky, especially if defenses pack the paint against them.
However, there are ways Steve Kerr can make it work. Butler’s playmaking ability could actually help Kuminga get easier looks, particularly in transition and off cuts. If Kuminga improves as an off-ball cutter and works on his mid-range game, he could complement Butler rather than overlap with him.
On defense, their pairing could be a major strength. Both are versatile defenders capable of switching onto multiple positions, which fits well with the Warriors’ small-ball identity. If Kerr staggers their minutes effectively and finds the right lineups, they could coexist—though Kuminga might need to adjust his role to fit Butler’s presence.
Jimmy Butler doesn’t seem concerned about his fit with Jonathan Kuminga, and his comments suggest he views Kuminga as an asset rather than a redundancy. While both players are non-shooting wings who prefer to attack the rim, Butler believes their presence together will create problems for opposing defenses.
His point about defense is key—having another switchable, high-energy defender like Kuminga could strengthen the Warriors’ small-ball lineups. The challenge will be spacing, but if the Warriors stagger their minutes and put enough shooting around them, they could make it work. Kerr will likely experiment with different rotations to maximize their effectiveness together.
Jonathan Kuminga-Jimmy Butler Combo
Before his injury, Jonathan Kuminga was playing the best basketball of his career, proving he could be a legitimate offensive weapon for the Warriors. His stretch of 17 straight double-digit scoring games—including eight 20-point performances and three 30-plus-point games—showed his growth as a scorer.
The back-to-back career-high 34-point performances in late December highlighted his ability to take over games, which makes his return even more significant for the Warriors’ playoff push. The challenge now is reintegrating him alongside Jimmy Butler while maintaining his offensive confidence. If he picks up where he left off, he could provide the Warriors with another dynamic scoring option to complement Butler and Steph Curry.
Kuminga’s pre-injury production—19.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 46.7% shooting and 37.3% from three—was impressive, especially given his previous struggles with consistency. His improved outside shooting (37.3%) could be a key factor in how Steve Kerr reintegrates him, as it would allow him to play off the ball more effectively alongside Jimmy Butler.
With Butler now the Warriors’ clear secondary scoring option behind Steph Curry, Kuminga may need to adjust to a more complementary role. Kerr will have to balance Kuminga’s growth as a scorer with the team’s new dynamics, possibly using him as a high-energy sixth man or staggering his minutes to keep his offensive rhythm. If Kuminga continues to hit threes at a solid rate and embraces a defensive-minded role, he could thrive alongside Butler rather than be limited by his presence.
The fit between Kuminga and Butler is certainly more complicated than the Kuminga-Wiggins pairing. Wiggins, while inconsistent, provided more floor spacing with his 5.8 three-point attempts per game, making 2.2 of them before the trade. Butler, on the other hand, has never been a high-volume three-point shooter, attempting just 1.8 threes per game in his first four games with Golden State.
This lack of spacing could be an issue, as both Butler and Kuminga prefer to operate inside the arc. Defenses may sag off, clogging driving lanes for both players. However, Butler’s elite playmaking (5.3 assists per game since joining the Warriors) could help mitigate this by creating better looks for Kuminga.
Steve Kerr will likely need to be creative in his lineups, ensuring enough shooting is on the floor when Butler and Kuminga share minutes. One possibility is staggering their playing time or surrounding them with high-level shooters like Curry and Klay Thompson. If Kuminga maintains his improved three-point shooting (37.3% before the injury), that would help ease the fit as well.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Future
Kuminga’s performance upon his return will have significant implications for his future with the Warriors. As a 22-year-old restricted free agent this offseason, his play down the stretch could determine whether Golden State commits to him long-term or considers other options.
Before his injury, Kuminga’s breakout stretch showcased his potential as a core piece, which has reportedly convinced Warriors owner Joe Lacob to lean toward keeping him, according to Anthony Slater. However, the arrival of Jimmy Butler complicates things. If Kuminga struggles to fit alongside Butler, the front office may have to reconsider their plans, especially with luxury tax concerns looming.
If he continues to play at a high level, the Warriors will likely match any offer sheet he receives in free agency. But if the fit with Butler doesn’t work, Golden State could explore sign-and-trade scenarios or other roster moves to maximize their flexibility.
If Kuminga is still aiming for a $35 million annual salary, his play for the rest of the season will need to justify that price tag. Before his injury, he was trending toward becoming a high-end two-way player, but with Butler now in the mix, the Warriors must evaluate whether they can afford to keep both.
Golden State’s financial situation complicates matters. With $166 million already committed to just seven players—including Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green—they will be deep into the luxury tax. Retaining Kuminga on a deal near his asking price would push them even further into financial strain.
- The Warriors must decide if Kuminga is worth a long-term investment or if his skill set overlaps too much with Butler’s. If they don’t believe he’s a $35 million player, they could explore a sign-and-trade scenario to recoup value while avoiding an even larger tax bill. His performance post-injury will play a major role in shaping that decision.
