Warriors’ New Hope: Can Jonathan Kuminga Become Golden State’s Next Superstar?

The Golden State Warriors have made a major gamble this NBA offseason. Letting Klay Thompson and Chris Paul walk for nothing means the team is looking toward a new future. As a result, Mike Dunleavy and the new front office have been working hard to remake the roster. In the waning years of Stephen Curry’s prime, the team has a plan to maximize its future.

But in the flurry of moves, the team hasn’t found a true star since the offseason began. The Splash Brothers are no more, and the team is bereft of top-name talent outside of Curry. However, for the Warriors, the answer for a star might be right under their noses in Jonathan Kuminga.

Jonathan Kuminga might be the star the Warriors are looking for

Throughout their miraculous 2022 NBA championship, Jordan Poole looked like the heir apparent to carry the team forward. But, as we know, that didn’t come to fruition. Instead, Poole’s trade for Paul had a net return of nothing, with the team waiving CP3. Now, an aging Draymond Green and Curry remain as the franchise cornerstones.

Alongside them is a cast and crew of youngsters waiting to blossom and quality role players. Throughout the offseason, the team has been active in building out a competent roster. The addition of Buddy Hield should give them the kind of spacing that Klay gave alongside Steph.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors Updates

In addition, DeAnthony Melton fills many defensive holes that had come about since Thompson’s injury and subsequent regression on that end of the ball. Further, Kyle Anderson, another savvy, wiry defender who can playmaker with the best of them, gives the team a pseudo-Draymond to control the bench unit.

But there is still a star deficit in a league producing them more than ever. So, the hope for Golden State has to come from their youth. In Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Branden Podziemski, the team has 3 quality young players, each with tremendous upside. However, the crown jewel for Steve Kerr has to be last year’s standout, Jonathan Kuminga.

After some friction between coach and player, Kuminga found himself in the starting lineup and immediately flourished. At 6-foot-8 and 210 lbs, Kuminga had an NBA-ready body, making him a versatile and valuable defender. However, playing alongside geniuses like Curry and Green gave his offensive game some shine, too.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors Updates

The former lottery pick had barely averaged 9ppg in his first two seasons. But that assent last season saw him take up to 16 points while maintaining a 52% shooting percentage. While his shooting isn’t at its peak yet, that’s one of the key areas the Warriors hope to see progress in for the young wing.

Year 4 leap is Mike Dunleavy’s Hope

During a Summer League Game where he came as a spectator, Jonathan spoke about his growth and how he can continue to improve going into the 2024-25 season. “Just building what I did last year. Taking my game to the next level when it comes down to defense, offense and just being that guy that sometimes the team is going to rely on me taking big shots. Just being in the moment, helping us win games and being great.”

Safe to say, the Warriors are hoping for a similar kind of jump from the soon-to-be 22-year-old. Speaking to ESPN, General Manager Mike Dunleavy revealed Golden State’s big plans for Kuminga and how much the dynasty’s future depends on him. In particular, he emphasized the Year 4 leap, citing his jump from Year 2 to Year 3 as the basis.

“ Usually that Year 3 or Year 4 leap is a huge one, and that’s what we’re hoping out of Jonathan this year. 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, 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.”

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors Updates

For the dynastic run of the Golden State Warriors to continue, the team needs more pieces around Steph Curry. While the roster is built out, a superstar addition might be just what the team needs. However, the answer for that superstar addition might be Kuminga’s ascent rather than hypothetical blockbuster trades.

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