Jonathan Kuminga wants it all. He wants the minutes and a bigger role in the Golden State Warriors’ offense. He wants the opportunity to prove to himself, the team and the fans, that he can be a superstar in the league. He wants it all — the praise, the smoke and everything that comes with being a star on a team.
After four years of learning, working and advocating for himself, Kuminga’s moment is now. The aftermath of his 33-point breakout against the Rockets last week, his start over Draymond Green in the Warriors’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves seemed like a de facto passing of the torch but it’s not.
The Warriors have a tough eight-game stretch to close out 2024 beginning Wednesday night against the Rockets in an NBA Cup quarterfinal. If they make it to Vegas, they have the Thunder or the Mavericks waiting. They play the always-tough Memphis Grizzlies before a rematch with the Wolves on Dec. 21.
These upcoming games will determine if this Warriors team can truly contend, and the trajectory of their season lies in the balance. This isn’t a torch passing; it’s a ‘Is he that guy?’ challenge.
“A lot of people in this organization, including myself, think he’s next,” Green said of Kuminga after the Wolves game. “So, if he’s next, at some point, we gotta see it. For him to do that, he needs the opportunity. If the opportunity falls on you-being me-then that’s what it is. You gotta figure it out. He’s earned the right to get that opportunity.”
While Green spent most of his postgame session making clear that he has no problem coming off the bench and supporting Kuminga, Green challenged the 22-year-old and echoed the front office sentiment: If Kuminga is what we believe he can be, he has to prove it now.
By entering Kuminga into the starting lineup, the Warriors want to see if he seizes this opportunity to prove that he’s a second option (and potential heir apparent) to Stephen Curry and re-sign him in the offseason, or they learn that Kuminga is not a fit moving forward and package him in a trade two months from now.
Kuminga and the Warriors did not reach a contract extension before the Oct. 21 deadline and will have to wait until the offseason before they can try to sign the fourth-year wing. With his increase in minutes and role, Kuminga has the opportunity to strengthen or weaken his value.
From the Warriors’ perspective, they either have an in-house second option to pair alongside Curry or a valuable trade chip for an active deadline. This is a challenge that neither the Warriors nor Kuminga can lose.
An on-roster upgrade
The Warriors’ emphasis on copious amounts of dribble handoffs and passing is losing its effectiveness in today’s NBA and their split action sets are becoming so predictable that opposing defenses call it out. Long, athletic wings will just trap and deny Curry and overplay passing lanes. Kuminga’s athleticism makes him a downhill force that can put pressure on the rim and draw contact.
Giving Kuminga minutes and featuring him more can unlock more pick-and-roll opportunities with Curry and Green and taking advantage of mismatches in the paint and on the blocks. With the proper spacing around him, Kuminga is a nearly unstoppable downhill force.
On the other hand, Kuminga gets downhill and will against teams that lack length and athleticism. He tends to struggle against teams with long and athletic wings and his scoring output reflects this.
In extended minutes, Kuminga can do some experimenting in terms of scoring. If he can strengthen his handles and footwork, he can develop crafty counters to attack more athletic and long defenders. He could also strengthen his touch around the rim. Kuminga has the force, but having a bit of finesse in his ‘bag’ will really make him a lethal weapon.
Kuminga’s scoring is and may continue to be inconsistent, but that should not be held against him if he continues to progress in rebounding and his defense.
A solid trade piece
Kuminga’s progression is undeniable. However, there is a possibility that the improvement may not be enough for the Warriors and where they want to go this season. During this stretch, he could play well but not be the player that the Warriors need him to be in terms of fit.
Young and athletic wings are in demand in today’s league and there’s a possibility that a number of teams could inquire about Kuminga. If the Warriors actually become buyers at February’s trade deadline, they could package Kuminga and others for a second scoring option that’s a better fit for the team or some role players who complement Curry and Green better. (Jimmy Butler could be interested in Golden State if the Heat seeks to move him, ESPN reported Tuesday.)
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The Warriors could use a stretch center to take some center minutes off Green and help space the floor with non-shooting lineups.
The Warriors could also acquire someone who could not only put pressure on the rim and draw contact, but provide more outside shooting or they could find a guard to replace DeAntony Melton — a guard that can defend and also provide auxiliary scoring.
Regardless of the results of giving Kuminga the “keys” in the moment, the Warriors should be better because of it — directly or indirectly. If Kuminga turns out to be the second option that the Warriors need, fine. There will be no need to give up value in a trade.
If he plays well but doesn’t ideally fit, the Warriors can explore options via trade. At the very least, this latest experiment will also provide closure. This extended look will negate the notion that Kuminga never really received an opportunity to get reps and prove himself.
Kuminga now has it all. He has his minutes and his spotlight. Now the real challenge is keeping it beyond this audition for the Warriors or elsewhere.
