Warriors head coach Steve Kerr makes shocking comments about Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga's value took a hit in the final year of his rookie contract as his production decreased. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from three-point range and 66.8% from the free-throw line.

The Golden State Warriors forward found himself out of the rotation altogether to begin the postseason as he played just 50 total minutes in the seven game first-round series against the Houston Rockets. Following Stephen Curry's Game 1 injury against the Minnesota Timberwolves the following round, the opportunity opened for Kuminga to play a bigger role.

In the four games without Golden State's superstar point guard, Kuminga averaged 24.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.8 spg and 0.5 bpg on 55.4/38.9/72.0 shooting splits. While his performance during that stretch will likely secure him a better contract than expected this summer, his head coach made some shocking comments about his role.

Steve Kerr recently claimed that he can't give Kuminga plenty of playing time alongside the Warriors' three stars -- Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green -- and expect to win.

"It’s a tricky one because Jonathan obviously is gifted and wants to play a bigger role and wants to play more." Steve Kerr claimed Wednesday. "And for me, I’ve been asked to win. And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster that we have — Steph and Jimmy and Draymond — and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win."

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Kerr later compared Kuminga to former four-time All-Star Shawn Marion and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon. He suggested that he wants the young forward to play like the former, while claiming that it took the latter some time to find his role in the league.

The four-time NBA champion head coach noted that Kuminga needs the ball in his hands, which is not possible on a team that employs Curry and Butler. The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft is headed for restricted free agency this summer. While Golden State will have the opportunity to match any offer sheet he receives, he has often been mentioned as a sign-and-trade candidate as the team pursues another star.

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