Golden State Warriors: Kuminga or JTA? Kerr’s rotation question

Although we’re just 21 games into the regular season, Golden State Warriors rookie Jonathan Kuminga is already getting a taste of the rollercoaster nature of the NBA. As fellow rookies get thrown in the deep end on bad to average teams, the number seven overall pick has been in-and-out of Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Between being assigned integral defensive roles, only seeing garbage minutes, and spending time down at Santa Cruz, the 19-year-old has experienced plenty during his short time in the NBA. Most recently, the Warriors announced he and fellow rookie Moses Moody had again been sent down to the G-League.

Depth is never something to complain about but Steve Kerr has had the challenge of figuring out which Golden State Warriors to play each night.

Kuminga’s playing time this season has been in close correlation with Juan Toscano-Anderson, seemingly only room for one of them on a nightly basis. Right now, there’s a genuine question mark on whether Kerr should trust in the unknown youngster with untapped potential or the bonafide role player he trusts to produce?

There was a short stretch in which the answer seemed to be the Congolese-born Kuminga. With Toscano-Anderson largely relegated to garbage minutes, Kuminga was given 15 minutes a night over three consecutive games against the Bulls, Hornets and Nets. He impressed in those opportunities, averaging eight points and four rebounds whilst undertaking important defensive assignments.

The change came in the Warriors come from behind win against the Cleveland Cavaliers two weeks ago. Lacking energy after a big win over the Nets, Kerr plugged in Toscano-Anderson to provide a spark off the bench. The move brought immediate results, the Oakland native playing the entire fourth quarter as the Dubs rallied from a 13 point deficit to produce a 15 point win.

Since then, the 28-year-old’s been a constant part of the rotation, with Kuminga used sparingly at best. It included 37 minutes as the starting power forward against Detroit when Draymond Green was out, as well as a 13 point, six rebound, six assist performance against Philadelphia.

So how does the rotation battle playout for the remainder of the season? After Toscano-Anderson’s poor performance against the Suns (five turnovers in 13 minutes), the door may have opened for Kuminga once more. Unfortunately for Warriors fans hoping to see more of their prized rookie at the NBA level, Kuminga’s presence at Santa Cruz means he’ll be unavailable for the second matchup against the Suns.

By the end of the regular season, the Warriors will be hoping Kuminga has edged his way clear of Toscano-Anderson and perhaps others. Could we see him push past Nemanja Bjelica and adapt into a small ball center initial — a move we saw employed at times in Summer League. His size and strength could make it viable defensively, with the ball-handling and movement on offense making him a huge mismatch threat on offense.

Ultimately, Toscano-Anderson, as solid as he is, isn’t going to be the difference between the Warriors winning a championship or not. The same can probably be said for Kuminga this season, however, he does possess a rare potential that could be game-changing. His defensive prowess has already been evident this season, showing a combination of size, speed and mindset that’s had Kerr compare him to a young Kawhi Leonard.

With Andre Iguodala hopefully fit and rotations usually shortened come playoff time, the question is probably a moot point. It’s unlikely either makes a huge impact in the postseason, the Warriors hoping Kuminga has a long career ahead of big-game performances.