An insider reveals the truth about Jonathan Cumminga and Steve Kerr's relationship

While many assume that there is permanent bad blood between them Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and a veteran Jonathan Cummingathat’s not necessarily the case, says The Athletic’s Sam Amick. They don’t often see eye to eye, which has led to a month’s worth of healthy DNPs, so Cummings trade request to Warriors front office. However, trading Jonathan may not be as easy as many assumed for Golden State.

With Jimmy Butler out for the season with a torn ACL, Cumminga cracked Kerr’s rotation and scored 20 points in a 145-127 win over the Toronto Raptors exactly two weeks before the NBA trade deadline. then, Kuminga suffered a knee injury in the 123-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, which won’t help his trade moves in February.

If the Warriors are unable to reach an agreement to part ways with Cummings before the trade deadline, will things work out between Kerr and Kuminga, or was the Jonathan trade a foregone conclusion before February 5th?

“They’re making it work. I’ve talked to Jonathan about Steve and Steve about Jonathan. Do I think they hate each other? That’s a really strong word, no, but they don’t like each other’s styles,” Amick said. “And I think one guy got paid 22 and a half million dollars to do the job. I forget Steve’s number, but I believe he’s the highest paid coach in the NBA. I think they just have to lock in and do the job because it’s mutually beneficial.”

“Steve’s thing is a little different. He’s out of contract after this season. A lot of questions about what his plans are. But if you’re Jonathan, I heard you talked about whether you play until the end of this season, do you play until the deadline? Of course you do. He’s too young; you’ve been on the shelf too long,” Amick concluded.

“Do I think they hate each other? No, but they don’t like each other’s style.”
Sam Amick shares his insights into the dynamic between Steve Kerr and Jonathan Cumminga 🗣
(via @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/r6cbVeHUV6
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 23, 2026

With Butler ruled out for the rest of the regular season and Jonathan Cumminga changing stocks, Steve Kerr and the Warriors could most likely hang on. Plus, who knows, maybe Kuminga returns to finish the season strong as a legitimate piece of Golden State’s future, while Kerr’s future with the team remains uncertain after this season.

Stephen Curry announced Jonathan Cumminga’s trade request

Warriors forward Jonathan Cummings (00) reacts after being fouled by head coach Steve Kerr against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Chase Center — D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Warriors veteran Stephen Curry says his team’s Jonathan Cummings situation has not been a disruptive process in the 2025-26 season. For Curry, it’s not up to the Warriors teammates to keep up on Cummings’ future, they were too focused on staying afloat in the competitive Western Conference, he said, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation. Our job is to keep playing, keep winning,” Curry said. “It will work itself out one way or another.”

Steph Curry on Jonathan Cumminga’s persistent trade talk: “It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation. Our job is to keep playing, keep winning. It’s going to work out one way or another.” pic.twitter.com/dKKSD0EKkLb
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyslater) January 16, 2026