4 Warriors who need to play more, 3 that should get less run
By Tyler Watts
More playing time: Jonathan Kuminga
It is time to find out what the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft can do. The Warriors two timeline plan was derailed when Jordan Poole was traded to the Wizards, but Kuminga continues to prove the franchise needs him now.
The 6’10 forward has not played more than 29 minutes in a game this season, despite being the team’s fourth-leading scorer. He is averaging 12.0 points in just 20.7 minutes per game. He scored over 21 a night in the preseason, and it could be time for Kuminga to breakout.
The Warriors are never going to know what he is capable of without giving him consistent playing time. He shot 37.0 percent from 3-point range last season on 146 attempts. Kuminga is the team’s second-leading scorer per 36 and deserves to play a starter’s role.
Yes, that means giving fewer minutes to the veterans who helped them win the championship in 2022, but the 21-year-old has earned the opportunity. Will he outperform Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, or Draymond Green? Nobody will ever know until he gets that chance, but it has happened on a per-minute and advanced metric basis so far this season.
Jonathan Kuminga is not the only young talent who should get more run for the Golden State Warriors.