Golden State Warriors: How Jonathan Kuminga can improve

The Golden State Warriors are going to be counting on a little bit of homegrown cooking next season as Jonathan Kumigna has a chance to step up in a major way.

With Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica out of the picture, a massive hole in the frontcourt has been left for Kuminga to earn more minutes.

Sure, he’ll still be behind Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and JaMychal Green in the rotation but there is no doubt Kuminga will see increased usage in his sophomore season.

How he performs during the first 82 games will give us an idea of whether or not he can compete in the playoffs in a more important role.

How much will Jonathan Kuminga improve in his sophomore season? What can he provide for the Golden State Warriors?

Kuminga’s value is in his two-way potential.

He’s got the build to match Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and any other versatile forward you can think of in the NBA.

What makes Kuminga exceptional is his athleticism. His speed, strength, agility and leaping ability are on par with any of the league’s best athletes.

On top of this, his game is silky smooth. Aside from his not-so-great jump shot, Kuminga’s game is fluid. His touch around the rim is feathery, at least, when he’s not slamming down a ferocious dunk. And his handle, albeit loose, is more than enough to beat defenders.

These are the areas he must improve. His handle needs tightening, his range needs to be expanded and his defense… well, he just needs more experience.

How quickly can these improvements happen?

His 3-point shot is likely the farthest thing from developing. Next, his handle. From there, it’s only a matter of time before Kuminga blossoms into an elite defender with Wiggins and Draymond to mentor him.

Realistically the Dubs should hope to see Kuminga take on a more active role offensively while coming into his own on defense next season. Continue to take advantage of transition opportunities and put the ball in his hand as he gains a bit of confidence and hopefully, a more reliable handle and jump shot.