Jonathan Kuminga is expected to be traded from the Golden State Warriors this offseason, and he sounds excited about his next chapter.
Through the first 34 games of the Golden State Warriors’ season, Jonathan Kuminga averaged 16.8 points and five rebounds. He then missed 31 games with an ankle sprain, and when he returned, he saw a reduced role.
Between his not getting a contract extension last summer, his visible frustration with the Warriors’ rotations, and the addition of Jimmy Butler, the Warriors are expected to conduct a sign-and-trade this summer, sending their former seventh overall pick to a new team.
Kuminga recently opened up about playing elsewhere and his career goals, and he seems thrilled with the possibility.
Last season, Kuminga’s fourth in the league was the only one cut short by injury. As his role expands, he has improved on both ends of the floor and has made it clear that he thinks he has the tools to succeed and be an All-Star.
“Aiming to be an All-Star multiple times, aiming to be great,” Kuminga told The Athletic regarding his goals for his career.
After seeing fellow 2021 draft classmate Moses Moody receive a three-year contract from Golden State, Kuminga grew frustrated with his team, and being flipped from the starting lineup to the bench, back to the starting five, and to the bench all over again certainly didn’t help his discontentment.
“It don’t matter if it’s the Warriors or if it’s anywhere else, it’s something I want,” he said of eventually making an All-Star game. “I want to see what I could do. I know I got it. So I want to really see. I’ve never got that chance.”
In the final regular-season game, which was a must-win for Golden State, Kuminga did not play. In the play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies, he did not play. He played in only eight of the Dubs’ postseason games, despite being one of their best players in the regular season.
It’s no wonder that he wants out.
While Kuminga has the savvy not to offer a list of preferred destinations publicly, it seems to be “anywhere but here,” although he hasn’t yet burned his bridge with the Warriors organization.
Kuminga has been linked to the Heat, Nets, Bucks, and Suns at one point or another, although, after a tumultuous season in Golden State, he should just want to play a regular role.
“I want it to be a consistent role,” he outlined. “Because I know what I got. I know what I could bring. I know how much work I put in. I know I’m dedicated to this game, how much I love the game.”
While he has improved over the course of his short career, he correctly thinks his runway in Golden State is growing short, and he knows he won’t be able to hit his ceiling unless he gets a regular role.
“The better I get, wherever I get my chance, it’s going to show,” he finished.
While a lot of stars, for lack of a better term, become divas, Kuminga is only asking for respect, honesty, and minutes, none of which is too big of an ask.
