At the conclusion of the Golden State Warriors’ 2022–23 season, doubts about both the team’s happiness and those of forward Jonathan Kuminga’s arose, leading to suggestions the organization could try to trade him.
The Warriors and Kuminga’s representatives “are expected to discuss his future this offseason,” according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic on May 12. The No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft will seek a position where he can play more, according to league sources, if Golden State decides Kuminga won’t have a full-time role moving forward.
However, a member of the Warriors’ staff claims that the young forward will have a chance to play more minutes next year.
Noting that his knowledge “came from NBA franchise staff (often a front office executive, coach, or assistant coach). Keith Smith of Spotrac published the information the Warriors source gave him on Kuminga in return for anonymity.
“We’re aware that Jonathan (Kuminga) wants to play more,” the personnel member told Smith. “The chance will be there for him this season. We need him to be ready for a full rotation role in our frontcourt.”
Kuminga Coming Off Encouraging Year 2
The 20-year-old Kuminga participated in 67 games (16 starts) during his second season with Golden State and set career highs in points scored (9.9), rebounds (3.4), assists (1.9), and field goal percentage (52.5%). His statistics improved as the season went on; after the All-Star break, he averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just under 24 minutes per game.
After spending a season with the G League Ignite, the Warriors selected Kuminga eighth overall in 2021. When Andrew Wiggins missed time in the second half of the season, Kuminga stepped in well.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr discussed his expectations for Kuminga going into Year 3 after the Dubs were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals.
“The minutes are there for him to take at the backup four next year,” Kerr said about Kuminga in May, per Tim Kawakami of The Athletic. “He’s gotta make strides, and he and I talked about it. The No. 1 thing is he’s gotta rebound. If he rebounds and he runs the floor, there’s going to be a lot of opportunity for him.”
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