Ranking Golden State Warriors from the 2022-23 season – Jonathan Kuminga
With the 2022-23 season having come to an end, we look back and review every player that took to the floor for the Golden State Warriors. Players are ranked on performance, with some of that based on preseason expectations.
While both the start and end of the season may have left Jonathan Kuminga frustrated, the athletic 6’7″ forward took another leap in his second year at the Golden State Warriors. The former seventh overall pick continued to showcase his All-Star level talent, becoming a consistent piece to Steve Kerr’s regular season rotation.
After limited opportunity to open the season, Kuminga got his first major opportunity in the Warriors’ loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on November 4. He scored 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting in nearly 38 minutes, displaying signs of what would be seen more consistently as the season progressed.
Jonathan Kuminga proved one of the exciting facets of the Golden State Warriors’ season, but his absence from the playoff rotation left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
Kuminga’s best early performance came in a marquee matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on November 29, scoring 14 points (6-for-8 shooting), grabbing ten rebounds and being a +21 in a game Golden State lost by three.
That game seemingly elevated Kuminga into Kerr’s plans, with the 20-year-old playing at least 21 minutes in all but two of 13-straight games between December 5 and 30. He was arguably the Warriors’ best player in a heart-breaking one-point loss in Utah on December 7, scoring an equal season-high 24 points, collecting five rebounds, and dishing four assists. But it was a breakthrough that was short-lived as Kuminga suffered a frustrating ankle injury that saw him for eight games.
He returned to the lineup with immediate effect, scoring 20 points and being a +13 in his second game back against the Brooklyn Nets on January 22. That was part of an impressive seven-game stretch where he scored in double-digits on six occasions, which included shooting over 50% from three-point range.
Kuminga was developing as the best part of a wobbly Golden State season. His on-ball defense was a weapon, his athleticism at the rim was an element the team otherwise lacked, and he was starting to hit his jumpshots at a consistent rate. By the time the trade deadline rolled around, Kuminga was thought of too highly to consider moving him for another piece.
The good form largely continued for the remainder of the regular season, including a six-game span where he scored between 13 and 21 points on five occasions. His individual talent was on full show, yet it was being harnessed effectively within a Warrior system that’s been difficult to master.
There was optimism on what he could provide in the postseason, but Kerr’s short leash, and the return of Andrew Wiggins, spelled the end of his minutes after Game 3 of the first-round against the Sacramento Kings.
Kuminga wasn’t shy of making aware his obvious frustrating, with a report from The Athletic stating his representatives would meet with Warriors’ management in the wake of their playoff exit. After averaging over 20 minutes during the regular season, he wasn’t the only one left surprised by his lack of playing time during the postseason.
Golden State Warriors to get first-hand look at exciting, athletic big man. dark. Next
The playoffs shouldn’t eliminate the strides Kuminga took during the regular season, and the minimum expectation of a 20-minute per game rotation player should remain heading into 2023-24. His 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 52.5% shooting are good numbers on which to base a growing two-way game that could still fulfil potential.