Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr believes Jonathan Kuminga can elevate his game by studying Jimmy Butler’s approach to basketball.
“I think Jimmy’s the perfect guy for JK to emulate,” Kerr said, per Danny Emerman of Chico Enterprise-Record. He highlighted Butler’s disciplined style, emphasizing how the veteran forward consistently makes fundamental plays without forcing the issue.
Kerr wants Kuminga to adopt a similar mindset, noting that the 22-year-old’s explosiveness sometimes leads to decision-making challenges. He hopes Kuminga can simplify his game, make smarter reads, and develop a more methodical approach to scoring and playmaking.
Kuminga is averaging 16.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 26 minutes per game this season. Butler, a six-time All-Star, is putting up 20 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 31.7 minutes since arriving in Golden State.
Butler is open to mentoring Kuminga and has already begun working with him. He excels at drawing fouls and playing through contact, skills that could significantly benefit Kuminga as he refines his offensive game.
One key area Kerr wants Kuminga to improve is footwork. Butler primarily plays off two feet, which helps him limit turnovers and make smart decisions under pressure. Kuminga relies more on one-footed jumps, using his athleticism to finish at the rim, but adding Butler’s controlled approach could make him more efficient.
“Understanding that attacking the rim, nothing there, jump stop, pass the ball—that’s a great basketball play,” Kerr said. He pointed out how this type of decision-making is crucial in the Warriors’ system, especially with Stephen Curry waiting for open looks on the perimeter.
Golden State has been rolling since acquiring Butler, winning six of its last seven games, including a dominant 128-92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. The Warriors (31-27) have now won four straight for the first time since their hot start in November.
Butler has seamlessly integrated into the lineup, providing defensive intensity and a steady presence on both ends. His leadership has been a key factor in the team’s resurgence as they push for a higher seed in the Western Conference.
Despite the Warriors’ recent success, Butler remains focused on helping Kuminga continue his development. He believes the young forward has all the tools to be a star.
“I think it’s going to be easy,” Butler said. “Hella athletic. Can shoot it, can score in multiple ways. And can guard. Can definitely guard. My job is to just make it easier on him. So, come on back and help us get some dubs.”
With Butler as both a mentor and teammate, Kuminga has an opportunity to take his game to the next level. If he can adopt Butler’s disciplined approach, he could become an even more dangerous weapon for Golden State.
