Warriors beat writer Danny Emerman shares his thoughts on the NBA offseason and beyond
In a way, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski profile as inverses.
Kuminga is a 6-foot-8 forward with limitless potential whose career began with an unconventional role for a lottery pick. Podziemski is a do-everything guard who fit perfectly into the Warriors’ system and immediately earned a crucial role. It’s elite ceiling versus. elite floor.
The two 21-year-olds are Golden State’s best trade chips outside of draft capital, which is putting them into focus as the Warriors pursue Lauri Markkanen.
The Warriors might never have to choose one or the other, and they value both Podziemski and Kuminga tremendously.
Which projects as a better player in the long-term, though?
Kuminga has all the tools to be an impact two-way wing, arguably the most valuable player type in the league. But he has lagged behind as a rebounder and defender, two things he should be elite at.
Kuminga is already a terror in transition and a force when he gets downhill. He’s a good cutter and has shown flashes as an on-ball defensive force. The shot is still a work in progress, as is his decision-making with the ball.
His third year leap shouldn’t be overlooked. Since 1980, there have been 35 players between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-9 to shoot at least 50% and average at least 16 points and four rebounds per game in their third season. Among them: Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Mark Aguirre, James Worthy, Penny Hardaway, Pascal Siakam, and Blake Griffin.
But also: Wally Szczerbiak, Carl Landry, Wayman Tisdale and John Collins.
Kuminga is one of those 35 players. Most of them went on to become All-Stars. But there’s a wide delta between James Worthy and Wally Szczerbiak.
Kuminga has a real chance. He’s that gifted. Perhaps even more than improving his jump shot, the best way for Kuminga to make another leap is figuring out how to leverage his prodigal athleticism beyond just scoring.
For Podziemski, the package is different. He’s already a terrific help defender, a heady playmaker, an outstanding rebounder for his size and an accurate 3-point shooter. No on ein Las Vegas for Summer League had a bad word to say about Podziemski, and that’s reflective of how many things he does well.
Podziemski’s foundation as a valuable player is ironclad. But to become one of the best players in the game, he’ll have to score much, much more. He’ll have to take and make more pull-up 3s and use his growing frame to finish in the lane more efficiently (he’s been studying Luka Doncic). There’s a big difference between nine points per game and 22 or 23.
Becoming a volume scorer is a harder skill to master than committing to defense and rebounding. But the way Podziemski cracked into the league as a rookie, betting against him would be bold.
Chances are, neither Podziemski nor Kuminga will be All-Stars — simply considering the numbers game. But each has a path. Ascension in the NBA doesn’t have to be linear.
Summer League standouts
Last year, the five players selected to the All-Summer League Team were Keyonte George, Hunter Tyson, Sam Merrill, Cam Whitmore and Orlando Robinson.
Just one, George, made an All-Rookie team by season’s end.
The Summer League is not predictive. Many games take on an AAU identity. Players are trying to prove themselves and teams often aren’t constructed to play organized basketball.
That said, here are my 10 favorite players I saw in Vegas, excluding already established NBA contributors.
Stephon Castle, Spurs
Bub Carrington, Blazers
Reed Sheppard, Rockes
Matas Buzelis, Bulls
Daeqwon Plowden, Warriors
Scotty Pippen Jr., Grizzlies
Ron Holland II, Pistons
Jared McCain, 76ers
Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks
Dalton Knecht, Lakers
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What the remaining free agents say about the league
It’s almost August. Summer League is almost over. Preseason is right around the corner.
Yet there are several free agents who are more than capable of contributing unsigned.
Markelle Fultz, Precious Achiuwa, Tyus Jones, Cedi Osman, Javonte Green, Lonnie Walker IV and Isaac Okoro are among the players who still don’t have a team for 2024-25. They’re not exactly stars, but each has proven that they’re able to contribute at the NBA level in one way or another.
It seems plausible that some, if not many, NBA-caliber players are going to have to play overseas or start the season without a job.
Like with the 12-team WNBA, the talent pool is too deep for the amount of available roster spots. The game has grown so much globally, and the previous generation of stars have held on for so long, that the amount of NBA players has outgrown the league.
The NBA has never been more ready for expansion.
Warriors connections
Inspired by the popular New York Times Connections game, try this Warriors-themed quiz. These 16 words are grouped into fours with distinct connections to each other.
The answer will be included in next Sunday’s Dimes.
