Golden State Warriors' Future Leader: Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors recently defeated the Phoenix Suns with a score of 109-105, swapping their records and moving up to ninth place in the West, avoiding consecutive losses. With a current record of 16 wins and 15 losses, it seems unlikely for the Warriors to win the championship this year, as Stephen Curry is aging and Draymond Green was never considered a cornerstone player. This may explain why the Warriors are reluctant to trade away future draft picks; the management may be relying on Curry to sell tickets for a few more years, saving on luxury taxes, and then rebuilding through the draft after Curry's retirement.
Kuminga, who was almost traded last season, has now become an indispensable asset for the Warriors. If the team decides to rebuild in the future, Kuminga could lead the team's resurgence. At just 22 years old and already in his fourth year, he is younger than some rookies. Kuminga was selected as the 7th pick in the first round of the 2021 draft.
In December, Kuminga scored over 30 points three times, including a game against the Houston Rockets where he scored 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, outperforming fellow top pick Jalen Green and leading the team to victory. He also scored 34 points in recent games against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Suns. In the game against the Suns, Kuminga played like a true assassin, scoring 34 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in 34 minutes, shooting 12 for 20 from the field and 2 for 5 from beyond the arc. He has the potential to become a young version of Kawhi Leonard, as his playing style resembles that of "Kazi."
Currently, what Kuminga needs most is patience, much like how Draymond Green analyzed Kuminga today. Green believes Kuminga should observe James Harden and learn from his perseverance during his rookie years. Harden waited until the right opportunity presented itself before exploding onto the scene. Green thinks Kuminga should be patient, as Harden started his career as a substitute for the Thunder before being traded to the Rockets, a decision the Thunder still regrets. The Warriors will not make the same mistake; they see Kuminga as their own version of Harden.
Green said, "Kuminga is very strong; he never complains about his circumstances, even when coming off the bench. He is willing to do anything for the team, which reminds me of James Harden. Harden is one of the greatest players in history, but his career hasn't been smooth sailing. He spent three years as a substitute for the Thunder, which isn't easy for a third overall pick. No one predicted he would become the player he is today. I don't think everyone's path is smooth. Take Curry, for example; he didn't achieve much in his first four years and had injuries that nearly ended his career. Kuminga must persist; this is the path to greatness taken by both Harden and Curry, and Kuminga is no different."
It's not just Harden and Curry; Green himself was a second-round pick who never enjoyed the privileges of a high draft pick. He started his career in a challenging environment, and if not for the Warriors changing coaches and Steve Kerr utilizing Green as a key part of his system, Green might not have achieved such heights. This season, Kuminga is averaging 16.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, with a 46% field goal percentage and a 33% three-point shooting rate. Over the past four years, his scoring has steadily increased from 9.3 points to 9.9 points, then to 16.1 points, and now to 16.7 points.
Kuminga's data has been steadily improving over these four years. However, he may have to wait a while longer, as Curry and Green are still a few years away from retirement. Nonetheless, Kuminga should secure a starting position, either in the second half of this season or next season, where he will achieve his goals. Now, the Warriors need to consider how much to offer Kuminga in his contract. Kuminga hopes for a 35millionannualsalary,whiletheWarriorsareonlywillingtooffer30 million. The Warriors want to give him a five-year, $1.5 billion contract, but Kuminga wants more. Regardless, the Warriors have the right to match any offer Kuminga receives. He can sign a five-year contract if he stays with the Warriors, but only a four-year contract if he leaves.