The Golden State Warriors’ 2025-26 NBA season started with promise, but recent setbacks have reignited tensions between forward Jonathan Kuminga and the team. Despite a strong opening stretch, Kuminga’s demotion to the bench and ongoing knee issues have left him feeling like the organization’s scapegoat once again, according to reports.
Kuminga’s situation with the Warriors has been fraught with challenges over the past year, marked by contract extension disputes and questions about his role in Steve Kerr’s rotation. However, both sides appeared to put those issues behind them at the start of the season. The Warriors won four of their first five games, and Kuminga was thriving as a starter, averaging 17.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game through his first nine appearances. These numbers highlighted his potential as an elite wing player, capable of contributing significantly on both ends of the floor.
But the honeymoon phase was short-lived. The team lost five of their next seven games, coinciding with a spike in Kuminga’s turnovers and a dip in his overall performance. In search of answers to stabilize the rotation, Kerr made the decision to move Kuminga back to the bench. This move, intended to spark the team, instead reopened old wounds.
NBA insider Anthony Slater detailed the brewing discontent in his latest report for ESPN. “The Warriors lost five of their next seven. Kuminga’s turnovers spiked, and his performance dipped,” Slater wrote. “Searching for rotation answers, Kerr demoted Kuminga back to a bench role, reopening old wounds. ‘He feels like the scapegoat again,’ one team source said.”
Compounding the frustration, Kuminga has been sidelined for the last four games due to knee soreness, an injury that surfaced just after his demotion. The timing has only amplified the negative feelings, with sources indicating that the benching was the primary catalyst for Kuminga’s resentment. This echoes past seasons where Kuminga has felt undervalued, particularly during times when the Warriors prioritized veteran players over his development.
For the Warriors to maximize their potential this season, there’s an internal consensus that Kuminga must overcome this built-up frustration, even if his role remains condensed. “For the Warriors to reach their ceiling this season, there’s an internal belief that Kuminga, even in a condensed role, must shake off some of his built-up resentment and get back to the impact wing from the first couple of weeks,” Slater added.
Kuminga’s early-season stats—17.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and efficient shooting—demonstrate what he can bring when confident and integrated into the lineup. Yet, consistency has been a recurring issue, and the team’s recent struggles have put him under the microscope. The Warriors, still chasing another championship in the twilight of the Stephen Curry era, can’t afford internal discord. Resolving this tension will be crucial, whether through improved communication, a return to the starting five, or potentially exploring trade options if the rift deepens.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Kerr and the front office handle Kuminga’s role. For now, the young forward’s feelings of being scapegoated cast a shadow over what was meant to be a rebound year for both player and team.