"Can Eventually Become the Focal Point": Steve Kerr Declares Warriors' $46,800,000 Star the Potential Heir to Steph Curry’s Throne in Golden State

Steve Kerr Declares Warriors
Steve Kerr Declares Warriors' $46,800,000 Star the Heir to Steph Curry’s Throne in Golden State (Photos - IMAGN)

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry is playing in his 16th season in the Bay Area. The Dubs have tried to find a worthy successor to Curry, and with the 2025-26 season up and running, Warriors coach Steve Kerr may have finally landed on one.

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On the "Willard & Dibs" show on Friday, Kerr declared Jonathan Kuminga as a potential heir. He advised Kuminga to embrace his current role and improve, so that when the likes of Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler retire, he can take over.

"The thing I've told [Kuminga] the last couple of years is if you can find your place with this group, which he's doing now, Jimmy, Dray, and Steph are only here for so long. You can expand your game eventually and become the focal point."
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Kuminga, who has earned a spot in the Warriors' starting five after being a rotation player most of his career, has played well in his first five starts of the season.

His future in Golden State wasn't set in stone before the season began, as he was a restricted free agent. He eventually signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract after the Dubs turned down sign-and-trade offers from the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings.

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Regardless, his place wasn't cemented till Kerr decided that Al Horford should be a rotation player. The presumptive starter, Moses Moody, sustained a calf injury in training camp practice. Kuminga grabbed his opportunity and has not looked back, averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Oct 30, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) drives for the basket again not Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images - Source: Imagn
Oct 30, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) drives for the basket again not Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images - Source: Imagn

Jonathan Kuminga opens up on relationship with Warriors coach Steve Kerr

Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga spoke to Tim Awakami of the San Francisco Standard about his relationship with Steve Kerr. Kuminga asserted that he was focused on growth and was aligned with Kerr.

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“I wouldn’t want to be the problem to mess it up,” he said. “I’m growing. I’m in my fifth year now. I know what winning means. And I know what I want to get, winning a championship.”
“There is no bad blood or anything like that. I don’t think there was ever bad blood," Kuminga added. "It’s just all the narrative, all the talking around outside. But we’re good. We’re good.”

Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors will hit the road to face the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

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Edited by Ubong Richard
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