Jonathan Kuminga`s integration with the Golden State Warriors always seemed a bit awkward right from the start.
His arrival coincided with a challenging period for the otherwise highly successful core trio of Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, and Draymond Green. Together, they had built a dynasty centered on a unique basketball style unseen elsewhere in the NBA, emphasizing motion offense, rapid passing, and exceptional three-point shooting over isolation plays and traditional pick-and-rolls. However, injuries marred the 2020 season, and Klay Thompson`s absence in 2021 led to the Warriors being eliminated in the Play-In Tournament. With Kevin Durant gone and the core aging, the team appeared vulnerable for the first time.
This moment of doubt was perhaps the only one Golden State`s leadership truly experienced. Yet, the draft presented them with an opportunity, a chance to either innovate or reinforce their existing strengths. In 2020, they held the No. 2 pick, and in 2021, the No. 7 pick. Dynasties, even those in a transitional phase, rarely get such high draft opportunities. They could have selected players like LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, or Franz Wagner, who seemed to fit their fast-paced, movement-heavy system more comfortably. Instead, both picks were used on players primarily defined by their athleticism: Kuminga and James Wiseman.
As raw prospects, these selections were justifiable based on their draft positions. However, as potential fits for the Warriors, they appeared to be curious choices. Neither, at that time, seemed to possess the quick basketball intelligence typically required to thrive in Golden State`s system. These picks felt almost like a conflict for the Warriors` identity. They could have recommitted to their proven methods, but instead, they veered in a different direction. In that brief period, the Warriors seemed to try being something they weren`t – they tried to be `normal` by selecting players who made sense for most teams but not necessarily for them.
Looking back now, it`s difficult to imagine they don`t have some regrets about those decisions. Even while attempting to manage two timelines, their actions consistently prioritized the interests of the established veteran group. The older core won a fourth championship immediately after Kuminga was drafted, employing their familiar style. This solidified the team`s identity; the Warriors would not compromise their immediate success to pave the way for a potentially different future.
Wiseman was moved quickly. Kuminga, however, proved to be a bit too talented for such a swift exit. While he hasn`t fully reached his potential, he has shown flashes of brilliance that Wiseman never displayed. His undeniable physical attributes were translating into tangible on-court production. Scoring 16 points per game in the NBA isn`t accidental, and the Warriors had lacked a downhill threat like him.
His appeal in an offense capable of generating space easily alongside Curry was clear. The team`s desire was for him to develop within the strict confines of their system, which prioritized selflessness and instinct over the personal exploration that many young talents need to discover their capabilities.
A true compromise was never fully achieved. Reports indicated Kuminga lost confidence in Coach Kerr last season. Kerr, in turn, seemed to publicly express reservations about Kuminga this year, particularly regarding his suitability for the newer, Jimmy Butler-centric lineups. Kuminga notably did not play in crucial recent games: the regular-season finale loss to the Clippers, the Play-In victory over Memphis, or Game 1 against Houston.
With restricted free agency approaching and Kuminga`s talent expected to attract significant offers from teams with less rigid schematic philosophies, his departure from Golden State appeared increasingly likely. A team already committed to paying core stars and several role players would struggle with the salary cap restrictions imposed by the NBA`s “apron,” especially when considering a promising young player like Kuminga if they weren`t consistently utilizing him. Kuminga seemed destined to move on, allowing the Warriors to continue their established style as long as Curry enabled it. Kuminga would potentially transition to a more conventional team, playing a `normal` style of basketball, and exploring his full potential outside the shadow of the dynasty. It seemed a frustrating conclusion to a partnership that once held promise.
Then, Amen Thompson collided with Jimmy Butler, and suddenly, Kuminga`s importance potentially surged higher than ever before. As of writing, the extent of Butler`s injury and his availability moving forward remains uncertain. He might miss the rest of the series against Houston, or he might be ready for Game 3. If his return isn`t immediate, the Warriors find themselves in significant danger.
This team was below .500 before Butler`s arrival, lacking reliable secondary scoring support for Curry. They are now facing one of the NBA`s most athletic squads, a top-five defense capable of slowing the game with rebounding and physicality, potentially turning Golden State`s fluid style into a gritty struggle.
As Durant has previously argued, these kinds of challenging circumstances weren`t ideal for Golden State`s system anyway. He believed that the tougher the situation, the more crucial individual shot creation becomes. Durant`s skills adapted to any conditions, as did Butler`s. Most players are more dependent on the team`s scheme, but the Warriors can`t afford to be selective right now. Someone needs to step up and generate additional offense. Someone needs to match Houston`s physicality.
For perhaps the first time in their history together, Kuminga and the Warriors have an opportunity to align their needs and capabilities. If Butler is sidelined or limited, Golden State desperately needs Kuminga to contribute offense in whatever way he can. And if this chance is given to him, he must seize it. His future earnings, potentially tens of millions of dollars, are on the line. Any team considering a lucrative offer sheet for him this summer would likely prefer to do so knowing he proved capable of stepping up in the playoffs when his current team needed him most.
If he fails to capitalize, in this era of the NBA`s restrictive “apron” rules, teams are more cautious than ever about how they allocate significant money. If Kuminga doesn`t provide a compelling reason to make a substantial offer, teams won`t hesitate to pass.
His 26 minutes in Game 2 weren`t particularly encouraging. Kuminga scored 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting. His presence didn`t significantly exploit advantages against a tough defense. The Warriors were outscored during his time on the court, though to be fair, they were outscored during most players` minutes in that game. Now, they must regroup and strategize for Game 3. In a few days, they will face the Rockets again, and it`s highly probable that Kuminga will play a meaningful role. He might feature prominently in several subsequent games as well.
How he performs on this stage will likely define what could be his final chapter as a Warrior, which in turn will significantly influence what his next chapter with a new team might look like. This is one last chance for both Kuminga and the Warriors to make the most of their complex relationship, and for either side to be satisfied with the outcome over the coming months, they need to absolutely nail this moment.
Jasper Hawthorne