Steve Kerr's New Lineup Suggestion Could Finally Unlock Jonathan Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors had a long negotiation process with Jonathan Kuminga, spanning several months, but eventually settled on a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option for the second season. Avoiding the qualifying offer was major for Golden State to avoid losing him for nothing, but now the team has to find a way to utilize their fourth-highest-paid player.
The Warriors seemed to have found a spot for him after Steph Curry went down with a hamstring injury in the postseason, leading to Kuminga scoring 26.3 points per game in the final three games of Golden State's season. Now, with some new additions to the roster, Steve Kerr's recent lineup suggestion could be the key to unlocking the young forward.
Steve Kerr Suggests Lineup Pairing To Play To Kuminga's Strengths
The Golden State Warriors 2025-26 roster:
Steph Curry
Brandin Podziemski
Jimmy Butler
Draymond Green
Al Horford
De’Anthony Melton
Buddy Hield
Moses Moody
Jonathan Kuminga
Quinten Post
Will Richard
Gary Payton II
Gui Santos
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Alex Toohey TW
Pat Spencer… pic.twitter.com/hr0Gg0awl7 — GSW Ball Report (@GSWBallReport) September 30, 2025
Speaking during training camp this week, Kerr told reporters that there's one two-man combo that sticks out to him when looking who to pair alongside new signing
“Maybe Al [Horford] and [Jonathan Kuminga],” Kerr said Friday, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. “You know, I think that’s a two-man combo that could make some sense.”
Steve Kerr explained why he's eager to see the Horford-Kuminga pairing on the floor this season 🤝https://t.co/FkG57d0qaH
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 4, 2025
Kerr didn't stop there, adding some context as to why he thinks the two could work well together on the court. “With JK, we want to give him space when he’s got the ball. Al can do that. So, if JK’s at the four, Al’s at the five, and we put shooters around those guys, that could be an interesting combination.”
Why This Makes Sense For Golden State?
Outside of Quinten Post's late-season surge last year as a stretch-five, Golden State really hasn't had a true floor spacer at the center position in the Steve Kerr era. Given that Kuminga has made less than one three per game on average throughout his career and has shot 31.3% over the last two seasons, Golden State has been at a disadvantage when playing him next to a traditional big.
“I wouldn’t say that. I will tell you that me betting on myself is helping us win a championship… I’m blessed. I’m glad I got this done. My mind is not betting on myself.”
Jonathan Kuminga after he was asked if he views this contract as ‘betting on himself’ pic.twitter.com/0FvXHGiHoX — 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 2, 2025
Therefore, putting Kuminga in a lineup where he's the only non-shooter could be the ideal situation for him to be able to play to his strengths as a slasher. That lineup could look something like: Steph Curry, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Kuminga, and Horford.
Al Horford leads all centers in playoff threes.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 28, 2025
Steph Curry leads all players in playoff threes.
Teaming up. pic.twitter.com/5tzGWyqtzm
In that situation, you have four shooters surrounding Kuminga, opening up the paint for him, where he converted 73.6% of his attempts from within three feet a season ago. This will all take some time to figure out, but the addition of Horford will be beneficial not only for Kuminga but for other players like
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Makes 1-Word Statement on Dillon Gabriel
After a tumultuous week, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders showed his support for fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel will draw the start in Week 5 for the Browns, who are in London to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Browns are replacing 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco with Gabriel, which they announced earlier this week.
Sanders — who will remain the emergency, No. 3 quarterback — drew attention for silently mouthing his answers during an interview after Gabriel was named a starter. It generated the wrong type of headlines but it wasn’t supposed to be a shot at Gabriel. Instead, it was Sanders reacting to being called out by
To reinforce his support of Gabriel, Sanders took to social media, where he has 2.5 million followers. He posted a picture of himself and Gabriel throwing, tagging his fellow
InstagramBrowns QB Shedeur Sanders gave a shoutout to Dillon Gabriel on social media.
“Dawgs,” Sanders wrote as a caption.
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Avoids Drama With Shedeur Sanders
Gabriel is in an interesting situation in Cleveland but hasn’t let the additional spotlight brought by Sanders affect him. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com asked Gabriel if Sanders’ mime interview had an affect on him.
“None,” Gabriel told cleveland.com. “I don’t want to speak for anyone, but for me it’s like, ‘Hey, we’re a team, we do this together as a unit.’ We can only control what we can control. I don’t want to speak for anyone in particular.”
Gabriel spent six years in college at three different stops and has been in quarterback competitions previously. He’s relying on that experience now and leaning on relationships in the quarterback room.
“I’ve been through a bunch of competitions at every stop,” Gabriel said. “Going back to high school, even into my freshman year at UCF, going into Oklahoma, even at Oregon. I’ve had a bunch of guys I’ve played with that I’m still close to. QB rooms are important to be able to build relationships and feel really good about it, so that’s how I kind of approach and navigate everything.”
Dillon Gabriel Has Support From Browns Veterans
The Browns are searching for a spark on offense, which led them to turn to Gabriel. Cleveland is averaging just 14 points per game and has struggled to produce explosive plays. Gabriel brings a different dimension with his mobility,
He also has the backing of veteran leaders in the locker room, including star pass-rusher Myles Garrett, which should help ease the transition.
“I mean, he just runs the offense like this is his offense and that’s all you can ask for from any quarterback,” Garrett said. “He comes out smile on his face, chest out, gives a call, and it looks like he’s been doing it for years, the way he manages the offense. So I’m looking forward to doing the same thing on Sunday.”
The Browns are looking to stay in the race in the AFC North with a win. Cleveland is a 3.5-point underdog for the matchup against the Vikings.
