Jonathan Kuminga’s second NBA season came to a conclusion few saw forthcoming, with the athletic forward’s future now in question after a disappointing postseason that saw him axed from the Golden State Warriors’ rotation.
After an exciting regular season that saw him as one of the Warriors’ major positives, Kuminga faced a roadblock shortly after non-impactful minutes early in Golden State’s first-round series against the Sacramento Kings.
Despite having just finished his second season, and at just 20-years-old, Jonathan Kuminga’s future is uncertain after a disappointing end to the 2022-23 season.
After a slow start to the regular season, Kuminga averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 20.8 minutes per game. He became one of Golden State’s best individual defenders, developed his offensive craft as one of the team’s only rim threats, and built his three-point shot to a respectable 37%.
It was those factors that left many bewildered at a lack of opportunity during the playoffs, not least those around the former top ten pick who, according to The Athletics’ Shams Charania Anthony Slater, will address Kuminga’s future with the franchise.
"“The Warriors and Kuminga’s representatives are expected to discuss his future this offseason, league sources say. Golden State will need to decide whether Kuminga will receive a full-time role moving forward, and, if not, league sources say the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft will want to be somewhere he can play more.”"
If Kuminga were to request a trade, whether publicly or privately, it would be a near unprecedented situation for the Warriors and the league in recent NBA history. When was the last time a top ten pick seeked a move away from his team after such a short period?
Almost all talented young players see out the entirety of their first contract with the franchise that drafted them, that is unless management moves them on their own accord. Trade requests are almost solely made by All-Star level players, let alone unproven talents only two years into their career.
Aside from a disastrous 2019-20 season, Golden State have largely been inactive at the trade table over the last decade. Part of that is because of the culture they’ve set, one where players haven’t needed to request a trade while in contract. Kuminga could break that trend after a season where that exact culture has been questioned through a myriad of issues.
A potential trade request sums up the unnatural position Kuminga has found himself across his first two seasons. Top ten picks are usually gifted minutes early in their career because of the rebuilding nature of the team, yet Kuminga has never been afforded that luxury given the Warriors’ championship hopes.