SAN FRANCISCO – After finishing up a light practice with free throws at Chase Center on Thursday afternoon, the man the entire NBA offseason revolved around stepped up to the microphone.
Jonathan Kuminga then made his first public comments since inking a new two-year, $46.5 million deal with the Warriors on Tuesday, avoiding the Wednesday deadline to accept a $7.9 million qualifying offer. He scoffed at the notion that signing a short-term contract, which would allow him to be traded in January, could be seen as “betting on himself.”
“Betting on myself, that is helping us win a championship,” Kuminga said. “I think that’s our goal and that’s how we’re all looking at it. I’m blessed, glad I got this done.”
He characterized the negotiations, which saw both the Warriors and a handful of other teams offer various contracts, as a learning experience for the soon-to-be 23-year-old.
“I never thought I would experience that, but it was a great experience, and I’m glad to actually just go out there and listen to certain things,” Kuminga said.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr had previously said he held no ill will toward Kuminga for contentious negotiations that saw the player’s agent, Aaron Turner, criticize Kerr by name. Now that Kuminga was back at training camp, it was business as usual for all parties involved.
“He looked good, and I think Jonathan is in good condition because he’s been working out,” Kerr said.
His teammates had expressed identical sentiments at Monday’s media day, separating Jonathan Kuminga the free agent from Jonathan Kuminga the person.
“My teammates today, all of them were happy to see me back here,” he said.
Kuminga was selected No. 7 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, but saw limited playing time during the Warriors’ run to the 2022 title. He saw his minutes fluctuate last season, when he averaged 15.3 points per game but saw his playing time decrease upon returning from a severe ankle injury after the Jimmy Butler trade.
The coaching staff did not believe that the two wings could play effectively together, something Kuminga hopes will change with a full training camp.
“It’s very easy and simple with Jimmy,” Kuminga said. “I don’t see it not working, and I think that with us having time together with me being healthy, and him being healthy and here from Day 1, it’s going to help us figure out certain things about each other.”
Kerr said that he plans on having an in-depth “sit-down” conversation with the fifth-year forward, who has publicly desired a more featured offensive role that may not exist on a Warriors team that will run offense through Steph Curry and Butler.
Kuminga downplayed his desire for more shots on Thursday, expressing a willingness to focus on defense.
“Being involved on both sides, and if it’s on defense and it’s ‘Go guard the best player,’ or if it’s ‘We need you to score’ or ‘We need you to guard certain people,’” Kuminga said. “I feel like that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
He later reiterated his desire to be a key contributor on a team that contends for a fifth title of the Curry era.
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“I need to mark my name as somebody who helped this team win a championship, and I think that would be beautiful,” Kuminga said.
This echoed the role that Kerr outlined the day before.
“The more he can defend with activity, rebound, run the floor, and then there’s a better chance he has to play,” Kerr said on Wednesday. “You know, everybody progresses at a different rate.”
Kuminga entered training camp with more than just a new contract. He also sported a new number, going from “00” to No. 1, a digit he wore before his NBA career.
“I just want to try new things,” Kuminga said.
It remains to be seen if a different number signifies a change in his standing on the Warriors, or if it will be more of the same for the former lottery pick.
