Jonathan Kuminga and his growth within the Golden State Warriors

Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga: A Defensive Wildcard too

Heading into and even in the immediate aftermath of the 2021 draft, Kuminga’s defense was often regarded as lacking in detail and sometimes bordering on ‘lazy’. But in a system that priorities that end of the floor, there’s no doubt he recognized the need to become a more than a capable defensive player.

If the offense was a highly-varying assortment of good and bad, the defense became a reasonably reliable trait that Kuminga could hold his hat on. Much like the offense, it’s the versatility that makes him such an intriguing defensive prospect.

According to Basketball Reference, Kuminga spent most of his time as a power forward in his rookie season. However, he also had stints as a small-forward and even more time as a small-ball center.

His athletic gifts allow him to play all three positions, while defensively, the Warriors hope he’ll one day develop into a rare species that, like Draymond Green, can be an elite defender covering all five positions.

Kuminga’s explosive vertical jump and 6-foot-11 wingspan make him an excellent contester of shots from anywhere on the floor.

Now and moving forward, it’s about improving the lateral quickness to stay in front of smaller, slippery players, along with his IQ to defend without fouling and not get lost on backdoor cuts and the like.

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Kuminga’s defense may become even more important with the Warriors losing Gary Payton II in free agency. Behind Andrew Wiggins, he can become the second-best wing defender on the team and an integral part of what Golden State builds on that end.

Although it didn’t particularly work in short spurts during the playoffs, I’m fascinated to see what the Curry-Thompson-Wiggins-Kuminga-Green lineup can do at stages next season. Not only is that unit exciting offensively, but its defensive versatility should make it incredibly entertaining and effective in time.

Kuminga has all the tools to become the Warriors franchise player down the line. For now, it’s about molding that into a complimentary but crucial and exciting piece by next playoffs.