Jonathan Cumminga’s ‘maturity’ puts him in a better place with the Dubs

It’s no secret that Jonathan Cumminga and the Golden State Warriors struggled to get on the same page since they drafted him seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. From the mismatch regarding his playing time and role alongside their veteran stars to the weak and public contract negotiation process, things haven’t changed between the two sides despite occasional flashes of Kuminga’s very high ceiling.

But it’s clear after a good training camp and an even better season debut in the Warriors’ 119-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, a change has come for the 23-year-old wing. With 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists on four-of-six from beyond the arc, Kuminga looked fluent in doing all the little things Steve Kerr has asked of him since joining the Warriors. He battled the boards, made the right passes and was strong on the ball as the offense’s primary defender.

For Kerr, the difference we see is how Kuminga has matured, as he said Willard and Dibs on 95.7 The Game.

“(Jonathan Kuminga) has really matured,” Kerr said.

“The veteran players really helped him in training camp. Jimmy (Butler) worked with him after practice. I just think JK is in a much better place than he was even a year ago. Some of it is just the comfort level with the team around him. Some of it is the growth and maturity that you expect from a young player. I know I’m really excited about how he’s going to progress off the field as well. year.”

How Butler helped Kuminga grow

Butler’s impact on Golden State since the franchise acquired him at the deadline is more than his results on the field. Butler held a players-only training camp at his San Diego mansion before the season started as a way to bond with his teammates. The veteran star has also made a habit of working with the young guys on the Warriors after practice, which has paid dividends for everyone, including Cummings.

After Kuminga’s big night in Los Angeles, Butler spoke about his relationship with Kuming.

“I just want to help JK be great,” Butler said.

“He’s got so much raw talent. He’s so aggressive, he’s athletic, he’s super smart. And I try to teach him some of what I see during the game. So we’ve been shooting, hanging out, watching film, working on our game together; after practice, before practice, during practice. I know how great it is to help him help him and now it can be a great job for him, and it can be a great job.”

The Warriors traded Butler to pair Stephen Curry with a counterpart, hoping he could ease the burden on their franchise. But they got more than they bargained for. They brought in a guy who changed Dubs culture for the better. That joy Butler has talked about regaining since joining the Warriors was contagious.

“I’m just a sponge,” Kuminga said when asked how Butler helped him. “I go to him every day. Not just after practice, but whenever I interact with him. I just try to pick his brain. And I feel like in this league, he’s one of the people who’s actually been in my shoes throughout my career. Like (who) knows what I’ve been through. What I’ve been through.”

Kumminga’s journey to this point

It’s been a windy and somewhat dramatic journey to this point in Cumming’s career, where he is now in a position to make a significant leap. For Kerr, he understands why Cumming’s journey has been so difficult given that the circumstances of the situation.

“I mean, it’s not really news that he was frustrated last year and he wanted a bigger role and the fit was awkward. And I mean, you know, looking back on it, it actually makes perfect sense,” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game.

“He was 19 years old, he played eight or nine games in the Covid-G League bubble in Orlando. That was the extent of his, you know, experience preparing for the Golden State Warriors.”

At the time, the Warriors’ semi-failed experiment with “two timelines” put a lot of pressure on Cummings and other young guys to contribute immediately and carry the franchise after Curry retired.

Kerr is Kuminga 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/ddjopf2JsV

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 23, 2025

“That’s a lot to ask of a young player,” Kerr continued. “We won a championship his first year, but very little experience. He was also a late starter, he studied and grew up in the Congo, and moved to the United States. There was a lot going on, and he joined, unlike all the other guys in his draft class, at the top of the draft. He joined a team that was trying to win a championship.”

“So many growing pains and tough conditioning. But I think he’s gotten dramatically better, I think he’s matured and I think he’s ready to really help us win a lot of games. And hopefully, even though it’s been a tough road, hopefully everybody gets what they want in the end.”

Golden State will need Cummings’ growth this season to make waves in the loaded Western Conference.