Green dives into the evolution of Kerr, including how his growth and Jonathan Kuminga’s development are shaping the next era of Warriors basketball.
Steve Kerr‘s dynamic with Jonathan Kuminga has been well documented in recent months. The 23-year-old forward was in and out of the Golden State Warriors‘ lineup during last season’s run to the Western Conference semifinals, causing Kuminga to be the subject of constant trade rumors over the summer as he entered reportedly heated negotiations with the team during his restricted free agency. Kuminga ultimately signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal last month to stay with the team, keeping the talented youngster in San Francisco.
Warriors legend Draymond Green has had a front-row seat witnessing this fascinating dynamic as Kerr’s coaching style has had to evolve over his 11 years with the team. Kuminga has the type of athleticism and skillset that Kerr’s never had before.
“Jonathan Kuminga is different than any other player Steve Kerr has ever coached,” Green said on the latest episode of Network with Rich Kleiman. “Everybody talks about the relationship between Jonathan Kuminga and Steve Kerr, as if all head coach and player relationships are peaches and cream. I am here to tell you that’s complete bullshit. He’s adjusted and learned this kid over year after year after year and has become more familiar with how to coach him. But that takes some time when the guys you coached is Steph Curry.”
Kerr had zero coaching experience when he joined the Warriors in 2014, spurning interest from the New York Knicks. Green has been with him the whole way, observing his growth in how to communicate with players and have tough conversations.
“He’s gotten so much better in those departments,” Green said. “He’s gotten so much better in just understanding the lay of the land, understanding that the kids that comes in the NBA today is not the kid of yesterday.”
Kuminga, the seventh pick of the 2021 draft, is different from Green, Curry, and the building blocks of Golden State’s dynasty. Kerr’s relationship with the talented youngster will remain in the spotlight over the course of the contract, but Kuminga got off to a strong start to the 2025-26 season, scoring 17 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists in an opening night road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Green, Kerr, and the NBA world will be watching to see how this relationship unfolds.
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