ESPN’s Shams Charania stirred up controversy early Monday when he announced Golden State Warriors’ forward Jonathan Kuminga and his camp “believe” the 22-year-old could have a similar star trajectory as Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam.
While it may be a bit early for those comparisons now, they don’t come without reason.
If you watched any Warriors’ basketball last season, you know just how big of a deal Kuminga has become for the Dubs. Late last season, Kuminga went on a scoring tear, seeing himself become the team’s second option behind Stephen Curry. Now, entering a contract year in 2024, the pressure is on for Jonathan Kuminga to emerge as an NBA superstar.
Here’s why 2024 is a pivotal year for the 22-year-old rising star.
A New, Expanded Role For Kuminga
With the departure of Klay Thompson in the offseason, the Warriors have a sizable pair of shoes left to fill on offense. Jonathan Kuminga seems like the most likely candidate to fill this role. The offensive opportunities will certainly be there for Kuminga throughout this upcoming campaign. The Warriors will be looking for Kuminga to take that next step and cross the 20-point-per-game mark for the first time in his career.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 16.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while stepping into a bigger role within the Warriors’ rotation. With him expected to become a full-time starter, those numbers should skyrocket. During the Warriors’ 2024 preseason, Kuminga shot well from outside the arc, displaying a much-improved three-ball. Additionally, Kuminga’s improved skills as a playmaker were also on full display during preseason play.
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Kuminga’s Contract Situation
On Monday, The Athletic‘s Anthony Slater reported that Kuminga and the Warriors could not agree on a long-term contract extension.
This move makes sense for both parties. For Golden State, it allows them to continue evaluating how they’ll look to build their roster in the future. For Kuminga, he can play his way into a big contract.
If Kuminga solidifies himself beside Stephen Curry as the Warriors’ second option on offense, he could find himself within MIP Award conversations. This would no doubt put the Warriors in a tough position. The upcoming RFA market isn’t the most attractive and Kuminga will likely have a long list of potential suitors. At that point, if the Warriors want to retain one of their core pieces, they’ll be “forced” to give Kuminga essentially whatever he commands on the open market.
We often see players kick things up a notch in a contract year and Kuminga’s case should be no different. With the potential for a big-time payday on the horizon, expect the fourth-year man to turn in his best campaign yet.
The Bottom Line
To be competitive in a loaded Western Conference, the Warriors will need Kuminga to play his best ball. With Curry entering his age-36 season, having another talented scorer to share the offensive load with is certainly ideal. Additionally, if Kuminga plays up to his potential, the Warriors will know exactly which piece they should begin to build around post-Curry. For Kuminga, this season gives him not only the opportunity to flourish in a bigger role but to secure a lucrative contract in the offseason as well.
The Warriors may have some questions surrounding their squad heading into the 2024-25 NBA season, but one thing is for sure: this season will be a pivotal one for Jonathan Kuminga.
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