SAN FRANCISCO – Teammates were forced to answer questions for Jonathan Kuminga on Monday at Warriors Media Day because of his absence. Coach Steve Kerr fielded a few the next day before shutting them down and turning his attention to basketball. Finally, Kuminga on Thursday was able to speak for himself.

Kuminga on Wednesday ended his restricted free agency that lasted all three months of the offseason and bled into the beginning of training camp, signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract that has a team option on the second year. He went through his first training camp practice Thursday and later addressed the media for the first time since inking his new deal.

The business side of basketball was eye-opening to Kuminga, who turns 23 years old on Oct. 6. The longer it took for Kuminga and the Warriors to agree to a deal, the louder the outside noise grew.

But it was brought down to hush from Kuminga’s answers speaking on the situation for the first time.

“It’s part of what we do. It’s a business,” Kuminga said. “At the end of the day, all that matters is that we got it done and I’m excited to be here.”

The only time Kuminga somewhat hinted at where his head was at during his restricted free agency was when he posted a picture to Instagram story on July 30 of him and his agent, Aaron Turner, that read, “I’ll bet on myself all day #JustKnow” while tagging Turner.

Once Jan. 15 arrives, the Warriors have three weeks to trade Kuminga by the NBA’s Feb. 5 deadline. His contract helps the Warriors find an in-season trade partner to move Kuminga if they choose to do so, but he doesn’t view his new deal as purely betting on himself.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Kuminga said. “But I’ll tell you, me betting on myself is helping us win a championship. And I think that’s our goal and how we all look at it. I’m blessed, I’m glad I got this done.”

Kuminga was drafted No. 7 overall by the Warriors in 2021, one year after the team took James Wiseman No. 2 overall and the same year they selected Moses Moody at No. 14. A youth infusion appeared to be on the way as Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson entered the later part of their careers.

And then Curry led the Warriors to a championship in Kuminga’s rookie year that surprised many, possibly changing the franchise’s plans of what’s best for the present and future of the team. Yet the Warriors have turned down multiple trade offers for Kuminga in the past.

His 2024-25 season was hampered by a badly sprained ankle in early January that kept Kuminga sidelined for more than two months. Kuminga started the first three games of the season and then was back to the bench, starting just 10 regular-season games in total. He has played 258 regular-season games in his career and hasn’t even started a third of them.

Which brings everything to the ultimate question: Does Kuminga want to remain with the Warriors and play for one team like his idol, the late Kobe Bryant?

“I’m here now,” he said, throwing up his hands at the podium. “That’s everybody’s goal, to be somewhere for longer. You never know how your future will be determined. So far, that’s my goal and what I want to accomplish is being here longer.”

Kerr on Wednesday reiterated the Warriors will operate through their veteran star trio of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. He emphasized what he always has for how Kuminga can earn more minutes and have a larger role: Run the floor, rebound and be the best defender he can.

Showing a focus for the small details has fell by the wayside for Kuminga at times over his first four seasons in the NBA. He has shown an affection for playing isolation ball offensively and has missed assignments defensively. Playing that way won’t get him on the court under Kerr, in particular with this roster.

When asked about how he views his role on the Warriors, Kuminga deferred to winning over anything individually.

“Just helping us win,” Kuminga says. “Find a way to help us win. Both ends – defense, offense – just find a way to be a piece that’s going to help us win games and hopefully a championship. Being involved on both sides. Finding a way to have an impact. If it’s defense, if it’s an assignment, just go guard the best player. Or if they need me to score. … I feel like that’s what I’m looking forward to and I am very open-minded.”

Kuminga’s role isn’t expected to change much, but over the course of a season, he can be a highly valuable player for a team run by players in their mid-to-late 30s. He’ll be relied on to be more of a scoring factor in games that Curry and Butler need off or can’t go, and called upon to do what’s necessary to win on a nightly basis. Plus, the better he plays, the better his trade value is for the Warriors, possibly creating a win-win for both sides.

However it all plays out for Kuminga and the Warriors, he’ll have a new look to his game. At least when it comes to the front and back of his jersey.

Kuminga switched his jersey number from 00 to 1, marking a new chapter in a story that feels far from complete.

“A new start,” Kuminga explained. “I wanted to go back to my actual number that I used to wear when I was at [St. Patrick High School]. I just wanted to try new things, you know.”

There wasn’t more fuel added to the fire by Kuminga’s first comments since re-joining the Warriors. How their relationship continues, however, can either burn the house down or be the spark he always needed to keep the flame all along.

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