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The Top 5 Golden State Warriors with the most to prove next season

By Rohan Borges

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Andrew Wiggins #22, Jordan Poole #3, Draymond Green #23, Kevon Looney #5, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors stand for the national anthem before Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 27, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Andrew Wiggins #22, Jordan Poole #3, Draymond Green #23, Kevon Looney #5, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors stand for the national anthem before Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 27, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 22: Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors looks on during action against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 22: Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors looks on during action against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. /

3. Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga didn’t see the playing time that he was longing for during the postseason (to the disappointment of Dubs fans everywhere), but he had an encouraging regular season. The raw box-score numbers suggest that Kuminga is virtually the same player he was last year and while that may true offensively, Kuminga made impressive strides as a defender last season.

In the absence of Andrew Wiggins, who missed north of 50 regular season games, Kuminga was relied upon as the Warriors’ primary ‘wing’ defender. He regularly guarded the opposing team’s best player and proved that he can stick with shiftier guards on switches. On the interior, Kuminga demonstrated an understanding of the fundamentals, staying grounded in the post and contesting vertically at the rim without fouling.

‘JK’ is a freakish athlete who can get up for big-time rejections and poster slams. Equipped with a 7’0 wingspan and exceptional lateral quickness, Kuminga is a nightmare matchup on the perimeter. He’s got size and speed, and he can obstruct passing lanes with just the extension of his long arms — all the tools you need to be a premier defender in the NBA.

Kuminga will be entering his third season in October and if he wants to crack the Warriors’ regular bench rotation, he will have to show some improvement on the other side of the ball.

He progressed as the regular season went on, but the 20-year-old is still a low-volume scorer on pedestrian efficiency. He shoots over 35% from three-point range but on just two attempts per game. His free-throw shooting is a bigger cause for concern, with JK shooting just 67% from the charity stripe through his Sophomore season.

No doubt, Kuminga’s opportunities were limited this year, which certainly stunted his growth offensively. But now, he will have extensive time to refine his tools and show the Golden State coaching staff that he is ready for a larger role.

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