Jonathan Kuminga’s fit with the Golden State Warriors was awkward right from the start. It all went down when Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, and Draymond Green’s otherwise successful partnership hit rock bottom. The trio built a dynasty around a unique style of basketball not seen anywhere else in the NBA. But injuries ruined the 2020 season, and with Klay Thompson sidelined in 2021, the Warriors were eliminated in the Play-In Tournament. Kevin Durant was gone, and the core was aging. The Warriors looked vulnerable for the first time, causing a moment of doubt for their brain trust. The 2020 draft presented to them an opportunity to reinvent themselves or double down. The No. 2 pick in 2020 and No. 7 in 2021 were like lottery tickets for a dynasty on hold. Instead of picking players that fit their fast-paced style, they opted for athletic gifts in Kuminga and James Wiseman.
The selections were almost a battle for Golden State’s identity. They could have stuck to what worked, but they went in the opposite direction, trying to be something they weren’t. The Warriors chose players that made sense for others but not for them. Kuminga showed flashes of brilliance but also lost faith in Kerr, leading to doubts about his future with the team. With restricted free agency approaching, it seemed likely that Kuminga’s time with the Warriors was coming to an end. The team, already financially constrained, couldn’t afford to keep a promising player on the bench.
Butler’s injury changes everything for Kuminga and the Warriors. The team was struggling even before Butler’s arrival, lacking secondary scoring to support Curry. Facing a tough defense like Houston’s requires individual creation, something Durant and Butler excelled at. Kuminga now has a chance to shine and prove his worth to the team. His performance in the upcoming games will determine his future with the Warriors and any potential offers he might receive in the offseason. Tens of millions of dollars are on the line, and Kuminga needs to step up when his team needs him the most.
