by Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy and coach Steve Kerr believe big things are in store for Jonathan Kuminga this season.
Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke at Warriors Media Day, Kerr was asked what he thought a good season would look like for Kuminga.
“As a two-way player, he has the ability to be a lockdown defender,” Kerr told Burke. “He was good on the ball.” He needs to be better on the ball. Rebounding. Transitional defense. Last year we were very poor in transition defense. We blame all of our guys for that.”
The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough last season after expressing frustration with his place in Kerr’s rotations at the start of the season. When asked by Burke if he thought Kuminga could be a full-time starter, the Golden State coach was noncommittal
“Everyone has to be ready to go this year,” Kerr told Burke. “There are places available. I’m not guaranteeing anything to anyone, except probably Steph and Draymond. We need to discover our team. I create competition.”
With Klay Thompson heading to the Dallas Mavericks in the summer, Golden State has a gaping offensive hole behind Curry and Kuminga has the potential to fill that role as the No. 2 option.
While there were rumors leading up to last season’s NBA trade deadline and throughout the offseason that the Warriors might trade Kuminga, Dunleavy wasn’t willing to give up on his budding superstar.
“You have to build from within,” Dunleavy said. “The guys you draft and develop can be really good. For us to give up on him or any other young player, it would have to be a “wow” deal.
“We see that his growth and development is very, very high. We drafted him. We put a lot of effort, hours and work into him. That’s why I think simply moving players away or upgrading isn’t always the right answer. We will take the path that has always worked. We think Jonathan will have a great year.”
Kuminga made tremendous progress in his third NBA season, becoming a reliable double-digit scorer, averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Dunleavy would like a little more from the 22-year-old. “[I want him to continue] to get comfortable with what we’re trying to do offensively and defensively,” Dunleavy added.
The ingredients are there for this new-look Golden State team to be a factor in the Western Conference, but Kuminga must continue his progress. Given his innate basketball ability and young age, it’s possible that this could be the year he breaks out.
Kerr and Dunleavy seem to think so, and the youngster will get his chance when the NBA season officially begins on October 23rd.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
