Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has openly acknowledged a challenging reality for his team as they push toward the NBA playoffs: the lineup featuring Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler isn’t working. Speaking candidly on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” show on Thursday, Kerr addressed the difficulties of integrating the three forwards, citing a lack of spacing as the primary issue.
“Every game is different, and I think Jimmy’s arrival took away a lot of Jonathan’s minutes at the four,” Kerr said. “There’s no doubt that as soon as Jimmy arrived and we started winning, we leaned into lineup combinations that enhanced Jimmy because we were winning… But the lineup with Jimmy, Jonathan, and Draymond doesn’t fit real well, frankly. It just doesn’t. We need more spacing.”
The Warriors have been a force since acquiring Butler from the Miami Heat at the February trade deadline, posting an impressive 22-8 record and climbing to sixth in the Western Conference. However, the addition of Butler, a six-time All-Star known for his playmaking and interior scoring, has complicated Kuminga’s role. The 22-year-old forward, who was averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds before a January ankle injury sidelined him for 31 games, has struggled to find his rhythm alongside Butler and Green.
Data backs up Kerr’s assessment. According to NBA.com, the trio of Kuminga, Butler, and Green has a net rating of minus-24.9 in 38 minutes across 11 games, a stark contrast to the team’s overall success. The lack of consistent outside shooting—Kuminga is hitting 31% from three this season, Butler 28%, and Green 32%—clogs the floor, making it easier for defenses to focus on Stephen Curry, the Warriors’ primary offensive engine.
Despite the poor fit, Kerr praised Kuminga’s adaptability and defensive growth. “Jonathan’s done a great job,” Kerr said. “He’s working hard. He’s playing well when he’s out there.” Draymond Green echoed this sentiment after a recent win over the Los Angeles Lakers, noting Kuminga’s willingness to take on tough defensive assignments. “He was asking for those matchups,” Green said. “That says a lot. We challenged him to step up on the defensive end, and he did that.”
The Warriors’ current starting lineup, featuring Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Butler, and Green, has found a groove, leaving Kuminga to come off the bench. With Butler and Green locked into the roster for the next two seasons and Curry’s gravitational pull defining the offense, Kuminga’s role remains uncertain. His athleticism and ability to attack the rim are undeniable, but his fit alongside two non-shooting forwards poses a tactical dilemma.
As the Warriors prepare for a critical postseason run, Kerr emphasized flexibility. “I’m just going with the combinations that I think are going to give us the best chance to win,” he said. “There’s going to be nights where [Kuminga’s] absolutely part of that, like the Lakers game, and there’s going to be nights where I go to Buddy [Hield] or Moses or Gary Payton.”