Jonathan Kuminga has excelled in two games off of the bench
The move was scrutinized, but it has paid benefits in two straight victories.
The last two Golden State Warrior wins featured former lottery pick and potential future face of the franchise Jonathan Kuminga coming off of the bench. This news came as an eyebrow raiser for many in Dub Nation who thought Kuminga would be a featured part of the starting line up for the forseeable future.
That was why they drafted him at #7 overall, right? And the move seemed especially odd after the team and Kuminga couldn’t agree on an extension this offseason.
I am a big Kuminga advocate, but if this is how the team views him (No extension + moving to bench), why didn’t they just include him in a trade?
— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) October 30, 2024
There is a disconnect there.
(It’s because teams prefer to squeeze every dollar out of players in RFA.) https://t.co/KiMQlZiENB
If I'm Kuminga, i'm not playing another game until they trade me. Generational money on the line
— Beke (@BK9419) October 30, 2024
But sometimes you gotta see what the method behind the madness is. In two games off of the bench, Kuminga averaged 27.7 minutes per game, 16.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists on 48% shooting from the field.
Jonathan Kuminga tells @KerithBurke he isn't bothered by his new bench role pic.twitter.com/glGqTouNgF
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 31, 2024
"100% blown out of proportion"@Money23Green calls out NBA media for trying to sensationalize the Warriors benching Jonathan Kuminga pic.twitter.com/S3Jct3Rgk1
— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) October 31, 2024
Kuminga’s play helped the Dubs survive without star players Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins against a Pelicans team that made the playoffs last year.
Steve Kerr on his decision to bench Jonathan Kuminga:
— KNBR (@KNBR) October 30, 2024
"Without Steph and Wiggins, I didn't want to start TJD, Draymond and JK... I told him before the game. You're going to play a lot, this is just about combinations and getting a little more spacing on the floor to start." pic.twitter.com/w5Kdcy9Z5w
This move from Kuminga had everybody jumping pic.twitter.com/AstcBYhhiR
— Chef curry Parody (@baby_face_goat) October 31, 2024
This is why we gotta let the Golden State Warriors cook a little bit just to see where this adventure is going. It’s a long season, let’s take our time to evaluate the moves!
Kuminga has had some impressive flashes tonight. He’s this close to putting it all together.
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) October 31, 2024
Jonathan Kuminga is on the cusp. We see the offense. We see the passing. We see the defense. He CAN do it. Give him the minutes and let that man COOK.
— Swish Culture (@SwishCultureYT) October 31, 2024
Steve Kerr on Kuminga: "He's handled this role change, this quick role change with Steph and Wiggs out very well. Back-to-back great games."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 31, 2024