Over the course of the 2022–23 NBA season, Jonathan Kuminga’s minutes with the Warriors shrank, but interest in the rookie forward seems to have risen.
“Executives here are also buzzing about the future of the Golden State Warriors after the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated them over the weekend,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported. “Judging from my conversations, there remains a strong level of interest in Jonathan Kuminga around the league.”
The emphasis now moves to the offseason with many important decisions to be made after Golden State’s title defense was unsuccessful following a playoff series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.
One of those is what Kuminga’s future holds.
The Warriors and Kuminga’s camp are anticipated to discuss what his future with the organization is, and if he isn’t guaranteed a bigger role next season, he could seek a trade, The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported, citing sources.
“Golden State will need to decide whether Kuminga will receive a full-time role moving forward, and, if not, league sources say the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft will want to be somewhere he can play more,” Charania and Slater wrote.
According to Jason Dumas of KRON4, Kuminga plans to spend portion of his offseason in other regions of the nation. According to reports, the 20-year-old will visit Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles in an effort to demonstrate the league his talent.
In 67 games played this season, the former No. 7 overall pick averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range. He also played an average of slightly over 20 minutes per game.
Kuminga filled in for All-Star forward Andrew Wiggins during his nearly two-month absence from the squad while he attended to a family situation over an extended period of time.
While Wiggins was absent, Kuminga played in 22 games, averaging 13.4 points on 56.3 percent field goal shooting and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc while adding 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per game.
However, Kuminga was forced to return to the bench at the bottom of Steve Kerr’s rotation when Wiggins came back in time for the Warriors’ postseason run.
There is no doubt that Kuminga was dissatisfied with his small role, but he told reporters he is learning patience and holding out faith that his time will come soon.
If not, a lot of other organizations are allegedly interested in offering him that position.
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