Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green believes new Golden State Warriors point guard Chris Paul is going to “unlock” forward Jonathan Kuminga next season.
Green told Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Paul George on George’s podcast that Paul is going to help Kuminga grow his offensive game. The Dubs acquired Paul from the Washington Wizards in the Jordan Poole trade.
“I’ll tell you one more thing that I think it unlocks and I look forward to learning this from him; I think Chris Paul will completely unlock Jonathan Kuminga and his growth,” Green said. “CP is great with young guys. Deandre Ayton looked like a bust before Chris came to Phoenix. No disrespect but more of a compliment to CP but people didn’t know what Deandre Ayton was gonna turn out to be. And suddenly, he became an All-Star level player.
“So I think what he will do for Jonathan Kuminga and unlocking him is huge. Absolutely huge and I look forward to learning that from him.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Chris Paul & Golden State Warriors Updates
Kuminga appeared in 67 games for the Warriors this past season. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.5% from the field, 37.0% from beyond the arc and 65.2% from the free-throw line.
The Warriors lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals in six games after winning the championship last year against the Boston Celtics. Kuminga only played in 10 postseason games this year, averaging just 3.4 points.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Chris Paul & Golden State Warriors Updates
Golden State drafted Kuminga with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft. The Warriors had serious conversations with the Indiana Pacers about trading Kuminga, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, but no deal was reached.
Paul averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 assists last season for the Phoenix Suns. He is expected to start alongside Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins.
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