After a disappointing 2023-24 season, many are expecting changes in the Golden State Warriors franchise. Former All-NBA guard Klay Thompson is set to hit unrestricted free agency, Andrew Wiggins is more than likely on his way out, and the team may move on from Chris Paul after one season. However, the Warriors do not appear to have any sort of interest in cleaning house just yet. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Warriors will “do everything they can to keep” Jonathan Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga is considered untouchable by the Warriors, per @ramonashelburne
“They’ll do everything they can to keep him. They don’t even want to talk about him.”
(Via @957thegame ) pic.twitter.com/7cA4QJkWEL
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 10, 2024
The third-year forward enjoyed a career year with Golden State this past season. Kuminga appeared in 74 games, starting 46 of them. In those games, the 21-year-old averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Furthermore, he shot 52.9% from the field. All of these numbers are career-highs for Kuminga so far.
Kuminga is eligible for a contract extension this summer. According to Logan Murdock of The Ringer, there is a sense that “Kuminga could fetch more than $30 million per year on the open market.”
Some analysts believe Kuminga could fetch more than $30 million per year on the open market, a figure that would make him the second-highest-paid player on Golden State’s roster.
Golden State Warriors Budding Star Considered Untouchable
The Golden State Warriors Believe in Jonathan Kuminga
In their three years as teammates in Golden State, Kuminga and Draymond Green have formed a mentor-mentee type of bond. As part of a feature with ESPN in March, Green spoke about knowing Kuminga had “the gift” even before the team drafted him in 2021.
“You knew the gift was there,” Green said of Kuminga. “He would just need a few years. And for me, having Jarrett Jack telling me he’s good, that means a lot.” But Kuminga didn’t initially take to Green’s form of mentorship — at least not enough for the longtime vocal leader of the Warriors. “You get to a place in your career where you’ve accomplished X, you’ve accomplished Y and Z,” Green said, “so he should just listen to me. It’s a slap in the face for me, not in a negative way, just like ‘Wake up, you’re not listening.’”
Furthermore, Warriors CEO Joe Lacob praised Kuminga’s game during the season, calling him “a monster.”
“He’s a monster. If he continues to play like this, which I think he will and get better at 21 years old, his future is unlimited.”
The Last Word on Jonathan Kuminga
Despite a smaller role during his first two seasons with Golden State, it appears Kuminga is finally coming into his own. Whether he receives a contract extension this summer or not remains to be seen. However, early reports suggest the former champion is in their long-term plans. With Wiggins likely on the move, it makes sense for the Warriors to slide Kuminga into the starting small forward spot permanently.
