Written By Mauricio Segura // Photo: Golden Bay Times Graphics Dept.
OCT 28, 2025
When the Golden State Warriors handed the ball to Jonathan Kuminga this season, a lot of fans were scratching their heads. After all the contract drama and questions about his fit, could Kuminga truly step up? The answer: yes, and in a way that shows he’s become smarter and faster by taking things slower.
From the jump, this season has looked different for Kuminga. Last year he was often all gas, all athleticism, which, don’t get me wrong, is thrilling. But excitement alone doesn’t always win games or earn trust. Now, he’s chirping less and reading the floor more. In his first four games this year he’s averaging career highs in assists and rebounds, about 4.4 assists per 75 possessions and nearly 9 rebounds per 75, whereas before his numbers were much more modest.
What’s changed? It starts with patience. There’s a play from the Warriors’ 131–118 win over the Memphis Grizzlies where Kuminga receives the ball with a mismatch, but instead of blasting straight downhill, he points to a teammate to set a screen, moves the ball, and draws attention before someone else finishes it off. The old JK might have danced into the paint alone; the new JK sees helpers, triggers a play, and executes. That’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
He’s also farming rebounds like he’s planting seeds. In that same stretch, he pulled in 32 rebounds over four games, about eight per game, despite never averaging more than 4.8 before. On transition, he’s become a threat; on half court, he’s setting the tone. His athletic tools were always elite, but now he’s using them within the team’s ecosystem.
The shift in mentality seems rooted in that offseason contract saga. While it was a distraction, it also appears to have been a wake-up call. “Buy in” used to be a buzzword; now you can see it in his actions. He’s accepted the idea that playing for this Warriors squad isn’t about being the star solo act, it’s about contributing within a system, making the extra pass, timing the cut, finding those hidden moments. That maturity unlocks a smoother kind of speed. By not rushing plays, he’s actually arriving faster.
Even his scoring has become smarter. In the same Memphis game he buried 25 points on over 70 percent true shooting. He attacked the rim, capitalized off rolls with Stephen Curry, and waited for the right moment rather than forcing jumpers.
And it matters for the Warriors. They’ve had a long-standing issue: how do you generate advantage when Curry isn’t holding the ball all the time? Kuminga is emerging as a credible secondary creator. He draws help defenders, kicks out, or finishes, which stretches opponents a little more and gives the Warriors another threat to worry about. That kind of growth means they’re a little less predictable.
Of course, it’s early. Small sample size caveats apply. But when your rebounding, playmaking, and decision-making all take meaningful leaps simultaneously, you take notice. If he keeps this up, blending his explosive physical traits with sharper awareness, the ceiling isn’t just solid starter but maybe something higher. And for a team that still has championship designs, that kind of rise could matter a lot.
In all, Kuminga’s new groove is one of controlled speed. He’s learned that lightning in a bottle isn’t just how fast you go; it’s when you go fast at the right moment, and sometimes the smartest move is to slow the game down so you can see it all. For the Warriors and their fans, that looks like a win.
