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Golden State Warriors: Sophomores have lofty expectations

By Tony Pesta

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will enter the 2022-23 NBA season with higher expectations than most, considering the whole “reigning champions” thing and all.

But starting the year with more on their plate will be Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and honorary sophomore, James Wiseman.

They have each shown promise in their own way. Those flashes need to turn into full-on fire, soon.

The upcoming 2022-23 NBA season will be pivotal in determining the future of the Golden State Warriors’ blossoming young core.

Kuminga, Moody and Wiseman haven’t been given the same timeline that most lottery picks receive. They joined a team with championship aspirations and have been lucky enough to notch a chip to their belt at such a young stage in their career.

Yet, the pressure was relatively low for Moody and Kuminga. They weren’t expected to play big minutes — and they didn’t. Meanwhile, Wiseman was on the bench for the entire season with an injury.

This pressure will begin to mount in their sophomore stints, though.

The training wheels are going to come off at some point and if the young stars can’t steer on their own, their time with the team will be limited.

Golden State has plans for more championships. Ideally, the young core will blossom into the next iteration of the Warriors’ superstars.

If it becomes clear that Wiseman, Kuminga or Moody aren’t on the path to greatness, a trade could swiftly follow. If not this season, then within the next few years.

Wiseman, especially, has to prove his worth. He was the No. 2 overall pick just a few years ago and has yet to make an impact on the court. Albeit, he hasn’t really been on the court at all.

For Wiseman, Moody and Kuminga, the 2022-23 NBA season will serve as another trial run at being productive members of a championship team. Soon, however, they’ll have to sink or swim.

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