Jonathan Kuminga addressed the media following the signing of his two-year, $48.5 million deal with the Golden State Warriors. He expressed excitement about returning while highlighting the learning experience of the summer negotiations.
“It’s part of what we do. It’s a business. At the end of the day, it all matters, we got it done, and I’m excited to be here,” Kuminga said.
Asked whether the deal was a form of betting on himself, the 22-year-old forward emphasized team success over personal gain. “Me betting on myself is helping us win a championship. That’s our goal and how we’re all looking at it,” he explained.
Kuminga confirmed that his long-term goal is to remain with the Warriors, while acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in professional basketball. “So far, I think that’s my goal and what I want to accomplish—just being here for longer,” he said.
He reflected on the restricted free agency process and meeting with other teams. “I just learned more about me, hearing from different people. It was a good experience,” Kuminga stated, noting it provided insight into the business side of the league.
Regarding his role, Kuminga focused on contributing wherever needed. “Find a way to impact—if it’s defense, guarding our best player, or scoring. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” he said.
The forward also touched on building chemistry with Jimmy Butler. “It’s very easy and simple to play with Jimmy. Having him here from day one will help us figure things out in training camp,” Kuminga said.
He explained his jersey number change back to No. 1, citing a personal connection to the number. “I wanted to go back to my actual number one jersey. It’s about trying new things,” he noted.
Kuminga described his summer training as intense and focused on improving all aspects of his game. “It doesn’t matter who you train against. What matters is working on the right things consistently,” he said.
On fan perception following the negotiation process, Kuminga emphasized commitment to the team. “The front office, my coaches—they know how committed I am. That’s all that mattered to me,” he stated.
He concluded by reiterating his championship mindset. “I need to mark my name as someone who helped this team win a championship. That’s where my focus is,” Kuminga said.
