Since being selected 7th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga’s career has experienced many ups and downs. Despite showing some real midseason promise, he received only 6.1 minutes per game in 10 postseason appearances.
The Warriors lost Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal series to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at Crypto.com Arena, ending their season. Immediately after the final buzzer sonuded, Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic released a detailed report about Golden State’s outlook entering the offseason — including a note about Kuminga’s future.
This offseason, the Warriors and Kuminga’s camp will discuss Kuminga’s future. Next season, if his role isn’t guaranteed, the 20-year-old may consider seeking a trade to another team.
“The Warriors and Kuminga’s representatives are expected to discuss his future this offseason, league sources say,” Charania and Slater write. “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.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga & Golden State Warriors Updates
As for Kuminga, he played in 67 games, starting 16 of them, averaging 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.
Despite this production, the Warriors were reluctant to play him alongside two non-shooters — Draymond Green and Kevon Looney — while also favoring giving minutes to Gary Payton II after his recovery from a core muscle injury.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga & Golden State Warriors Updates
During the 22 games following the All-Star break, Kuminga averaged 13.2 points and 24 minutes per game because Andrew Wiggins was unavailable for two months due to family matters, and Payton was still recovering from injury.
“It’s hard for young guys to come into this league and pick up everything that’s being thrown at them, but he’s done that,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Kuminga in March. “And here we are, near the end of his second year, and he’s just dramatically better than he was when he first arrived.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga & Golden State Warriors Updates
Since the Warriors believe they need to revamp their rotation this summer and the young forward was frustrated with the lack of playing time, it seems unlikely Kuminga will have a regular role. With non-shooters such as Green and Looney already consuming significant minutes, Kuminga has no clear path to gain a consistent role.
Given that Kuminga has clear upside to reach new levels in his career as he develops, there should be no shortage of potential trade interest from around the NBA, if he became available.
Grant Afseth is an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network and a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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