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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr delivered a blunt assessment of Jonathan Kuminga’s situation, calling it “a difficult situation” during a recent radio appearance. Kerr addressed the topic as Kuminga continues to sit out games despite being healthy, a reality that has drawn attention across the league.
Kuminga has not played since Dec. 18. Since then, he has remained out of the rotation while the Warriors have leaned on veteran-heavy lineups.
Kerr’s Honest Explanation
Kerr did not attempt to soften his words. “It’s a difficult situation,” Kerr said. “Everybody knows it.” He added, “Nobody’s winning right now with this situation, and it’s unfortunate, but it is what it is.”
The Warriors coach explained that lineup fit played a major role. Kerr said combinations featuring Kuminga, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green created spacing issues. That forced the coaching staff to look elsewhere for more balance and shooting.
Kerr also expressed disappointment in how things unfolded. “I’m disappointed for him that things didn’t continue to go the way they did the first couple of weeks,” Kerr said. Kuminga showed strong energy early in the season before his role diminished.
Steve Kerr on what’s going on with Jonathan Kuminga ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/oDbeYmiTnR
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 15, 2026
Rotation Choices and Team Direction
Golden State’s decisions reflect a win-now approach. Kerr emphasized that coaches must “control what we can control.” He focused on finding lineups that fit the team’s style and give them the best chance to win games.
The Warriors have responded well on the court. They have posted a 9–4 record during Kuminga’s absence. That success has made rotation changes harder to justify, even with Kuminga’s talent.
Kerr acknowledged the human side of the situation. He said managing people can be as challenging as managing schemes. Still, he stopped short of promising change.
Trade Eligibility Adds Pressure
Kuminga becomes trade-eligible this week. Several teams have been linked to him, including the Kings, Bulls, Mavericks and Lakers. A move could offer Kuminga a clearer role and steady minutes.
Kerr did not speculate on a trade. He did admit that things “can change.” He also avoided setting any timeline for Kuminga’s return to the floor.
