WARRIORS’ YOUTH CRISIS!” Kendrick Perkins blasts Steve Kerr for not giving young players like Jonathan Kuminga enough opportunities. Can the Warriors recover from this?

Kendrick Perkins Calls Out Steve Kerr Amid Jonathan Kuminga Free Agency Drama

As the Jonathan Kuminga free agency saga unfolds, the spotlight has once again turned to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr—and not for the reasons he might hope. ESPN commentator Kendrick Perkins has stepped up with a bold critique, suggesting Kerr’s greatest weakness isn’t his playbook, but his inability to nurture young talent.

Kerr, the NBA’s second-longest tenured coach, has led the Warriors to four championships, all built around the legendary core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The dynasty’s golden years were further fueled by Kevin Durant, whose arrival propelled Golden State to back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. Yet, as the original stars age, the Warriors’ attempts to develop a new generation of talent have largely faltered.

James Wiseman arrived with sky-high expectations, only to fizzle out. Jordan Poole flashed brilliance but proved inconsistent and, at times, a source of locker room tension. Other young prospects—Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Jonathan Kuminga—have delivered mixed results, leaving fans and analysts wondering if the problem lies deeper.

Enter Kendrick Perkins, who didn’t mince words on the ‘Road Trippin’ podcast. “Steve Kerr, in my opinion, has a hard time letting young guys be great,” Perkins asserted during a heated discussion about Kuminga’s future. “The only person that I’ve seen him wrap his arms around as a young guy is Podziemski. And Podziemski is going to have a long career as a role player. But when it comes down to guys elevating, and you see a guy that has the potential to be a franchise guy, Steve Kerr is holding these guys back. Why?”

Perkins’ comments echo a growing sentiment among the Warriors faithful: while Kerr’s system has maximized the talents of his veteran stars, it may be stifling the development of players who could be the team’s next cornerstone. With Kuminga’s future hanging in the balance, the pressure is on Kerr not just to win now, but to prove he can build for tomorrow.

As Golden State navigates this pivotal offseason, one question looms large: can Steve Kerr evolve his approach and unlock the full potential of the Warriors’ next generation, or will the franchise’s golden era fade away without a worthy successor?