Jonathan Kuminga will be the next big Warriors star

The Golden State Warriors are currently in flux. They lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks at the start of free agency after failing to qualify for the 2024 NBA playoffs. The Warriors' front office has already begun re-tooling the roster ahead of next season. The biggest improvement will likely come from within, though.

Jonathan Kuminga emerged as a future All-Star during the past campaign. He played in 74 games for Steve Kerr's team, starting 46 of them and averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field.

According to Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., who spoke on the Summer League broadcast during the Warrior's 90-73 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, the organization expects a big developmental leap from their 21-year-old forward next season.

"Usually that Year 3 or Year 4 leap is a huge one, and that's what we're hoping out of Jonathan this year," Dunleavy said. "He's put the time in over the years but most especially this summer. I know he's really working hard. And I think he has a better grasp for how we play, how to evolve himself with Steph [Curry], with Draymond, crashing the glass, cutting baseline. And Jonathan has really gotten better each year and we feel like this could be the year he could take a huge leap. We'll be expecting that out of him."

Kuminga brings a different skill set to the Warriors roster. His athleticism and explosiveness give Kerr's team a level of rim pressure they've seldom had in the last 10 years. Kuminga is also rapidly developing on the defensive end and has improved to the point where he can guard multiple positions.

Veteran stars Steph Curry and Draymond Green are on the final stretch of their career and Golden State has straddled two timelines in recent years. Kuminga is proof that the front office's risk is paying off. He is emerging as their star of the future. He has learned from some of the most dominant players of their generation.

If Kuminga takes a major jump next season, he could be the catalyst for another run at a championship.