Warriors Reportedly Maintain Interest in Keeping Young Star

It’s been clear as day for the past two years: Golden State Warriors star Jonathan Kuminga and head coach Steve Kerr have not seen eye to eye far too often. They’ve had a few public disagreements over playing time, effort, and other basketball-related factors. Even this past season, which is now over for the Warriors, Kuminga saw his role on the team take a significant step back, even though his regular-season stats were relatively on par with the last season. Still, it didn’t appear that his role was at the forefront of Kerr’s mind. It was even more glaring during the first round of the playoffs. All that said, the possibility remains that Golden State isn’t ready to give up on the four-year player, and there may still be an opportunity for both parties to make it work.

Warriors Reportedly Maintain Interest in Keeping Young Star

Warriors star Jonathan Kuminga may not be done in Golden State after all, per The Athletic

Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic recently reported that despite the season-long groanings that Kuminga was on life support with the Warriors organization, there remains interest in keeping him going into next season. Kuminga’s performance in the Timberwolves series might have saved him from being jettisoned over the summer. The postseason was a seesaw for Kuminga, who saw little to no playing time in Golden State’s first-round seven-game series against the Houston Rockets. 

However, things turned around against Minnesota in round two because of Steph Curry‘s hamstring injury. After Game 1, Kuminga saw his minutes soar to over 30 per game, except for the 26 he played in Game 2. Not only was Kuminga playing big minutes in big games, but he was producing at a high level. The development led many on the outside to question why Kerr wasn’t playing him all along. In five games against the T’Wolves, Kuminga dropped 7, 18, 30, 23, and 26 points in that order. His production was present, and his athleticism and skill were on display. It wasn’t enough to help the Warriors keep the series alive, but it did show that Kuminga still draws value.

Kuminga may have saved himself

If there is one thing (there are many) that the Warriors lack, it’s athleticism. Kuminga is the exception, as the team’s only legitimate source of athleticism. It showed in the Warriors’ final four games before getting kicked out of the playoffs. Granted, he shook off the dust only when Curry wasn’t playing; perhaps his ineffectiveness is related to when Curry does or does not play. Nevertheless, Kuminga showed that he could contribute and was the only player to stand up to Anthony Edwards defensively. Taking full advantage of the opportunity in front of him may have saved Kuminga in the long run.

According to Slater and Thompson, the Warriors’ front office is expected to offer Kuminga a $10.2 million qualifying offer over the offseason. Kuminga was left out of previous contract extensions when Moses Moody, for example, was given one. Now, the tides may have shifted in Kuminga’s favor.

Of course, it doesn’t guarantee Kuminga will remain on the roster for next season. He could sign the qualifying offer, and Golden State could still move him this summer. Still, what was considered a closed book on Kuminga’s future after this season appears to have changed. A return to Golden State could still be in the cards.

 

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