Jimmy Butler’s arrival in Golden State has brought an edginess needed for the playoffs.
He has been outstanding, but has Butler’s emergence made this Warrior expendable for the future?
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Jonathan Kuminga, a former first-round pick, captured an NBA title with Golden State in 2021-22 season. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward averaged over nine points per game in his first two seasons before exploding in the 2023-24 campaign for 16.1 points per game. Kuminga played a career-low 47 games in the regular season, but averaged 15.3 points per matchup.
A sprained ankle on January 4 caused him to miss 31 consecutive games, yet Kuminga is with the team for the playoffs. According to an article from the San Francisco Standard, Kuminga has not been made a priority in the lineup since his return in March.
Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr has not ruled out Kuminga’s potential impact in round one versus Houston; however, he is behind several names on the roster in terms of depth. Golden State needs Kuminga’s length against a young, active, and long Rockets team, but when does Kerr go to him? He will be a restricted free agent after this season, and it appears Kerr has maneuvered plans for life after Kuminga at Golden State. We will keep a close eye on this development moving forward.
For now, the Warriors need Kuminga to be effective against Houston.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.nath
