Golden State Warriors: Gauging Jonathan Kuminga’s ceiling

Future superstar? The next Andre Iguodala? How far will Jonathan Kuminga take his progression with the Golden State Warriors?

Hopes are high for Jonathan Kuminga but what is a realistic ceiling for the newest member of the Golden State Warriors?

It is a fascinating experiment the Warriors are conducting. Three lottery picks in two years to play alongside three future Hall-of-Famers in the midst of an incredibly rare attempt at prolonged success — their fate heavily depends on the development of this young core.

Moses Moody and James Wiseman are exciting. Even Jordan Poole, somewhat of a veteran compared to his peers, has high potential to be an impactful player for years to come. Yet, none of these prospects hold the star power that Kuminga has hidden deep in his raw skill set.

Kuminga is the definition of high-risk, high-reward. It is exactly why he slid to No. 7 in the 2021 NBA Draft and precisely why the Warriors jumped at the opportunity to select him. Kuminga could be a historic bust or a future All-Star.

From a physical standpoint, Kuminga has the build of a player who can dominant on both ends. His smooth (yet unpolished) handle reminds me of a young Paul George while his physical attributes are comparable to Kawhi Leonard and other freaks of nature defenders.

Even the most critical analysts of Kuminga recognize how special he can be on the defensive end. He is simply too much of an athletic marvel not to be a disruptor with even the tiniest amount of development.

His offense, however, is where his star power resides. Kuminga is a unique forward who can put the ball on the deck and power his way to the rim. He’s shown hints of being able to score in the mid-range and create plays for others. Expanding his arsenal would make Kuminga an off-the-charts producer.

My fairest hopes for Kuminga see him embracing a sixth-man role and replicating the productivity of Iguodala. With similar builds and physical tools, Kuminga can learn a lot from the 2015 Finals MVP. Rounding out his talents as a defender, playmaker and shooter would put Kuminga into a position for success. It helps to have Iggy present to be a mentor.

If we are being overly optimistic? I see no reason why Kuminga can not reach the pinnacles of Paul George and Jimmy Butler. This borderline superstar threshold is one Kuminga is capable of hitting though it is no guarantee, by any stretch.

It is important to be patient and keel our expectations. Kuminga does not have to be a star to succeed with the Dubs. But, if we are getting excited about the future, Kuminga’s ceiling is a reason for joy.