The Golden State Warriors have long been the gold standard of NBA organizations—a model of stability, culture, and winning. But cracks in the dynasty have been forming for years, and now, they have turned into gaping chasms. The latest flashpoint? The baffling, and frankly uncomfortable, standoff between head coach Steve Kerr and young forward Jonathan Kuminga.

The tension reached a boiling point this week, not just in the locker room, but on national television. ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins unleashed a scathing critique of Kerr, essentially accusing the four-time championship coach of malpractice regarding his development—or lack thereof—of Kuminga.

“Steve Kerr is the Problem. Period.”

Perkins didn’t mince words. In a segment that quickly went viral, he laid the blame for the Warriors’ stagnation squarely at the feet of their head coach. “Steve Kerr is the problem. Period,” Perkins declared. His argument hinges on the stark contrast between how other organizations are preparing for the future and how the Warriors are seemingly clinging to the past.

Perkins pointed to teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Detroit Pistons—franchises that have embraced their youth movements and are set up for sustained success. In contrast, Perkins argues, the Warriors have “no future” because Kerr refuses to trust the very players drafted to be that future.

The crux of the issue is the erratic playing time of Jonathan Kuminga. Despite showing flashes of brilliance and possessing the elite athleticism the Warriors desperately lack, Kuminga has found himself glued to the bench, receiving DNPs (Did Not Play) while the team struggles to find consistent production outside of Stephen Curry.

Taking Money Out of His Mouth

The most damning accusation from Perkins wasn’t about basketball strategy; it was about the human element. By burying Kuminga on the bench during a contract year, Kerr is actively damaging the young player’s market value.

“You’re taking money out of somebody’s mouth,” Perkins argued, highlighting the brutal reality of the NBA business. For a young player like Kuminga, these formative years are crucial for securing a life-changing second contract. By refusing to showcase him, or even allow him to play through mistakes, Kerr is diminishing Kuminga’s stock in the eyes of the rest of the league.

The analyst compared Kuminga’s situation to other young wings like Payton Watson in Denver or Jalen Johnson in Atlanta, who have flourished precisely because their coaches believed in them and allowed them to play through growing pains. In Golden State, the leash is nonexistent. Kuminga is expected to be perfect instantly, or he sits.

Kuminga’s Professional Front

Despite the chaos swirling around him, Jonathan Kuminga has maintained a stoic, almost robotic professionalism in front of the cameras. When asked about his fluctuating role and the team’s rotation changes, Kuminga gave the “right” answers.

“I’m not really sure, but you know, as long as things are working out there and we’re winning… I don’t see the point of switching anything,” Kuminga told reporters. He emphasized staying ready for when his number is called and keeping a positive attitude.

However, analysts and fans alike can read between the lines. The “NBA Cinema” breakdown suggests this professionalism is a calculated survival tactic. Kuminga knows that causing a scene publicly would only give Kerr more ammunition to bench him and label him “uncoachable.” By taking the high road, Kuminga is preserving what’s left of his reputation for his next team—because it feels increasingly likely that his future lies outside the Bay Area.

The “Frankenstein” Roster Management

The critique extends beyond just one player. It paints a picture of a coach unable to pivot from the “old guard.” With Andrew Wiggins traded (as noted in the analysis) and the “Two Timelines” plan effectively dead, Kerr seems determined to ride Stephen Curry until the wheels fall off.

Perkins warned that this reliance on a 37-year-old Curry to carry the entire offensive load is a ticking time bomb. “You’re gonna run him into the ground again by the time the playoffs get here,” he cautioned. The refusal to integrate Kuminga essentially forces Curry to play hero ball every night, risking injury and burnout.

A Relationship Beyond Repair?

Steve Kerr publicly stated that his relationship with Kuminga is “fine,” but the optics suggest otherwise. When a coach refuses to play his most athletic wing despite the team being undersized, it speaks to a fundamental lack of trust.

The tragedy, as Perkins highlights, is that Kuminga should be the bridge to the next era. He should be the one taking the load off Curry. Instead, he is being treated like a mistake that needs to be hidden.

As the season progresses, the noise surrounding this situation will only get louder. If the Warriors continue to slide, and Kuminga continues to sit, the question won’t be if Steve Kerr is the problem—it will be why the front office allowed the problem to persist for so long. For now, Jonathan Kuminga waits, and Kendrick Perkins continues to be the voice for a player whose silence is deafening.