Jimmy Butler’s advice to Jonathan Kuminga in a bleak future – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
Jimmy Butler continues to be a mentor to Jonathan Kuminga on and off the court.
So as Kuminga continues to deal with what will likely be his impending divorce from the Warriors, Butler will remain by his side regardless of the outcome. Butler told reporters after the Warriors’ win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday that their relationship hasn’t changed at all despite Kuminga recently leaving coach Steve Kerr’s rotation.
“Same. He better come over to my house tonight and have dinner, play dominoes,” Butler said (with ESPN’s Anthony Slater). “He’s my brother, so I don’t care if you’re out of the rotation. We hang out. He’s my friend, he’s my brother. That’s not going to change.
“Basketball is basketball. I love him like a brother and I wish him the best. And I always see him out here doing his job, so he’s right.”
Kuminga has been benched or played limited minutes in recent weeks as the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaches. More than ever, his future in Golden State is uncertain.
The 23-year-old winger cannot be sold until January 15, with multiple reports indicating a move is being made.
Either way, it doesn’t change anything for Butler and his relationship with Kuminga.
“It has nothing to do with me,” Butler said. “I’ll still call him and check on him. I’ll still visit him, go to his house, eat his food and play with his kids. His future, though, is between him and whoever else. But the bond and the brotherhood that we’ve built, no future will change that.”
Kuminga started the first 12 games of the 2025-26 NBA season, but has only played six times since. He is averaging 11.3 points on 43.1 percent shooting from the field and 32.0 percent from 3-point range. He hasn’t played in 10 of the last 11 games.
Butler was asked if he saw the uncertainty of Kuminga’s future weighing on him.
“No. Not at all,” Butler said. “I told JK, you come here and you’re a pro among all pros. Come here and do your job. You smile. You have a good time because you’re still an NBA player. You’re one of the best people in the world and I’m not even talking about basketball. So you keep smiling, you keep being the great human being that you are.”
Download and follow the Dubs Talk podcast
