SAN FRANCISCO >> Before the Warriors took on the short-handed Hornets at home on Tuesday night, Steve Kerr met with Jonathan Kuminga to watch some film.

The two reviewed his clips from earlier this year, but also added a new wrinkle: Jimmy Butler plays.

Kuminga has been sidelined by a severe, Grade 3 ankle sprain since Jan. 4. He’s been scrimmaging, which is one of the final steps toward getting cleared. When he returns, he’ll join the paragon of the Warriors’ newfound swagger in Butler. He could be somewhat of a model for the 22-year-old to take another leap.

“I think Jimmy’s the perfect guy for JK to emulate,” Kerr said. “What makes Jimmy special is that he doesn’t try to be special. He plays fundamental basketball. The constant fundamental play, he never turns it over, just makes the simple play over and over again. I want JK to learn some of that. He’s so explosive. I think it’s always hardest for the guys who are the most talented to make decisions because they’ve got too many options at their disposal. So I’m hoping that he can learn from Jimmy.”

Butler said he’ll “of course” take time to mentor Kuminga, spending time with him to impart his basketball philosophy. Butler is among the league’s best at drawing fouls, which is also a strength of Kuminga’s — but one that could be honed even more if Butler passes along some tricks of the trade.

Butler has been playing off two feet since college, a trait the Warriors love. It helps him limit turnovers and execute smart decisions under pressure, making him their “designated driver.” Kuminga’s more of a one-footed jumper in the lane, with elite athleticism to rise above defenders and finish at the rim.

“Understanding that attacking the rim, nothing there, jump stop, pass the ball — that’s a great basketball play,” Kerr said. “Especially for us, because Steph Curry’s on the other end of the play a lot.”

After their blowout win over Charlotte, the Warriors are 6-1 since acquiring Jimmy Butler, the six-time All-Star. Butler has been a revelation, fitting in seamlessly on both ends as a communicative, physical player.

The Warriors have won four straight games for the first time since their 12-3 start in November. They’re rolling. But Butler’s not worried about reintegrating Kuminga into the mix.

“I think it’s going to be easy,” Butler said. “Hella athletic. Can shoot it, can score in a multitude in a multiple ways. And can guard. Can definitely guard. So I think he’s going to come back and do what he’s doing. My job is to just make it easier on him. So, come on back and help us get some dubs.”

Kuminga was playing the best ball of his career before his injury.

The team plans to bring Kuminga off the bench whenever he returns, just like they were doing before his injury. The Warriors have maneuvered their rotation to play Curry with four bench players at times, so it’s easy to imagine Kuminga slotting into those lineup configurations as another shot-creator.

The training staff will determine exactly when Kuminga will return, but the upcoming five-game, four-city road trip appears to be a distinct possibility. Whenever he gets back on the court, he’ll have missed about two months, which is by far the longest absence of his career.

“The main thing I want for JK is to not press when he comes back,” Kerr said. “It’s not an easy spot to come back into. The team’s rolling. Contract stuff this summer, he’s going to have a lot on his mind. I want to make things as smooth and easy as possible. I want him to understand it’s not going to happen right away. He was playing the best basketball of his career before the injury, and it’s not going to happen the first night that he gets back to that level. It’ll take a little time.”