Jonathan Kuminga has held his introductory press conference with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, leaving some controversial comments that many are interpreting as a snub to a pair of legendary former teammates at the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga has shared his excitement at the prospect of playing with LaMelo Ball, claiming his new Timberwolves teammate is the best passer he's ever played with despite sharing the floor previously with future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry and Chris Paul.
Jonathan Kuminga takes swipe at Chris Paul with LaMelo Ball comments
Curry and Paul aren't just two of the greatest players of the past 15 years, but they're two of arguably the top five players of all-time at the point guard position. To compare them to a 25-year-old who's never appeared in a single playoff game is always going to stir up some controversy.
However, it's the now retired Paul who should feel most aggrieved by Kuminga's comments. Claiming Ball is a better passer than Curry isn't an overly outlandish statement, albeit the two-time MVP's ball-handling and passing is arguably underrated by the sheer fact he's the greatest shooter of all time.
Paul, meanwhile, was literally dubbed the 'Point God' and for as good as Ball is, no one should be claiming that he's a better passer than what the 21-year NBA veteran was after his career came to an unceremonious ending at the L.A. Clippers last season.
“I’ve played with so many point guards in my career, but I’ve never played with someone that can pass as good as LaMelo.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 10, 2026
- Jonathan Kuminga
(h/t @SnapshotKyle ) pic.twitter.com/aaW3S0PDbg
The one aspect Kuminga can cling to is that Ball is now entering the prime of his career, having averaged 7.1 assists in his final year with the Charlotte Hornets last season. In comparison, Paul was in his late thirties and toward the end of his career in what remains as a still somewhat hard to believe year with the Warriors in the 2023-24 season.
Chris Paul was still an elite passer with the Warriors
Paul was nowhere near his prime self during his lone season with Golden State, but there's no doubt he was still an elite passer. He led the team is assists per game (6.8) despite ranking only sixth in minutes, having thrown 48 dimes to Kuminga specifically during their 50 games on the floor together.
Paul will likely be sitting back in retirement with little care for Kuminga's comments, but not mentioning he or Curry individually during the bold Ball take is going to rest a little uneasily for many fans.
Perhaps it's a slight source of added motivation for Curry entering his 18th season, and might fuel some more playmaking and dimes from the 38-year-old who actually averaged a career-low 4.7 assists last season.
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