Jonathan Kuminga had a rollercoaster of a five-year career in Golden State. He was drafted seventh overall in 2021 and won a ring in his first NBA season. While he was a relatively minor contributor most of the postseason run, the rookie stepped into the starting lineup for a three-game stretch against the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals.
Kuminga caught fire in his first start, dropping 18 points on 2/4 from deep and a perfect 6/6 from inside the arc in Game 3. He followed this performance with a 17-point Game 5 and 17-point Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Kuminga fell out of the rotation upon Green’s return, but the rookie had made his mark in the NBA. There was reason to believe in Kuminga.
In his third season, the G League Ignite product had a career year and looked like he could have been the long-term replacement for Andrew Wiggins. He flourished as a slasher despite living in a Warriors offense with minimal spacing, often starting alongside Draymond Green’s 30.5% clip from three..
Warriors fans are still curious about Kuminga
But nearly two years later, Kuminga hasn’t been able to recapture his magic. He was denied an extension at his asking price, then had to wait until training camp to finally get a one-year “prove it” deal with a club option.
At some point, this contract dispute became personal. On Wednesday, Slater detailed just how the relationship fell apart and how a move was necessary. He could not reach an agreement with the Warriors on a contract because the team valued Kuminga as an Aaron Gordon-level player, while Kuminga valued his talents closer to Jalen Johnson’s star status.
The beef had become petty before the trade. Slater reported that the Warriors franchise, recently valued at $10 billion, was upset that Kuminga, their $23.7 million man, took too much free food from the family room. Kuminga understood his time was up and started packing his bags well before the deadline.
But Warriors fans weren’t involved in the feud, and they remember his early flashes of brilliance. Sure, he wasn’t the right fit in Golden State on or off the court, but they know there is real talent and athleticism that can still be harnessed into a valuable player.
They know that, if he can improve his playmaking and defense in Quin Snyder’s selfless system, Kuminga has all the tools to recover his reputation. First, he’ll have a chance to assume a role as the beefier sixth man forward behind Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher. If he can impress, perhaps he supplants Risacher one day and earns the contract he desires.
In a follow-up appearance on The Hoops Collective show on Friday, Slater said league sources were curious whether Warriors fans would tune into the beginning of the next chapter of Kuminga's career.
This doesn't feel too far removed from the Hawks' rollercoaster with Trae Young, although Young certainly left with more grace. I'm eager to see Young's career take off; I'm sure Warriors fans feel the same way about Kuminga.