Warriors: Exciting and important Summer League awaits

The Golden State Warriors may have just won another NBA championship, having conquered the league in four of the last eight seasons, but the excitement is sure to continue with Summer League commencing on the 7th of July.

The Warriors are in an incredibly rare position for a championship team – they have three lottery picks from the last two seasons in James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

It shapes up a big offseason for the Golden State Warriors, headed by the internal development of their three lottery picks from the last two drafts.

While the three may be in the midst of championship celebrations, they’re all expected to be participants in Las Vegas next month.

Wiseman, the second overall pick in 2020, may be the most eagerly anticipated inclusion to Summer League action. The seven-foot big man didn’t play this season, suffering from swelling in the aftermath of a torn meniscus and subsequent surgery in April last year.

On the prospect of playing in Summer League, Wiseman was confident of his availability after it was revealed he traveled to London in April with general manager Bob Myers for continued treatment.

"“I’ll most likely play in Summer League but we’re just trying to get everything situated. It’s kind of up-in-the-air but that’s like a 90 percent chance…I’m running now. I’m doing a lot of up-and-down stuff. I’m really doing a lot of regular stuff now. Just trying to get in shape and make sure everything is good in terms of my knee.”"

Kuminga, the seventh pick in last year’s draft, produced an exciting first season with the Warriors. He showed bursts of his sky-high potential, displaying explosive athleticism and surprisingly impressive defensive instincts.

The 19-year-old saw playing time early in the playoffs, including three starts in the second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. However, as the rotation shortened and the stakes became higher, he was unsurprisingly glued to the bench in the Finals against the Celtics.

On being involved in Summer League for the second straight season, Kuminga said, “I want to do it, especially if I’m trying to learn and get better. I gotta play.”

The two will join Moody, the 14th. selection from last year, who like Kuminga, didn’t see playing time in the Finals after impressive minutes against the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

The trio’s development will be crucial in the Warriors’ hopes of repeating as champions next season. Can they become meaningful rotation players who can be relied upon to play 15-20 minutes by the playoffs?

Two-way contracted players Chris Chiozza and Quinndary Weatherspoon could also feature in Summer League, while the Warriors also hold the 28th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft.

Prior to Summer League, the Warriors will host the California Classic at Chase Center, scheduled to meet the Kings on the 2nd July and the Lakers the following day.