Jonathan Kuminga was drafted over five years ago and has now been off the Golden State Warriors for more than six months, but that hasn't stopped the former seventh overall pick from remaining a major talking point.
Despite moving on from the Kuminga experience in February, the Warriors and owner Joe Lacob still can't admit that using a high top 10 pick on the talented forward has ultimately proven a mistake.
Warriors still can't admit Jonathan Kuminga mistake at 2021 NBA Draft
Lacob was and seemingly remains a notable Kuminga fan, using his recent appearance on The TK Show with Tim Kawakami to further defend the franchise's selection over five years on.
“I do not view Jonathan Kuminga as a mistake. I think he, we may have made some mistakes on how we handled it and how he handled it. Maybe he made some mistakes," Lacob said. "Obviously, that's well documented and we had to move on. But he's an NBA player and played in the playoffs and did really well. It's not a mistake at the seventh pick. There are seventh picks that are out of the league.”
This, like so many basketball debates and conversations, is based around framing the context. Lacob's right in that Kuminga had a couple of good games in the playoffs against the eventual champion New York Knicks, and that he remains in the league and will get another contract despite another long and thus far unresolved free agency process.
What Lacob didn't mention is that despite a pair of strong playoff games, the Atlanta Hawks have still moved on from the 23-year-old. It's also misguided to base the success of a top 10 pick on whether they're still in the league or not five years later. Surely any team using a lottery pick should be hoping for a long-term starter, if not a bonafide star that can help shape their future?
Warriors are stuck in wrong Jonathan Kuminga reality
Lacob and Golden State may try to paint a different picture, but the reality is Golden State should have drafted a different player like Franz Wagner, or traded the pick, when they had the opportunity. They also made subsequent mistakes in not trading Kuminga when his value, and the lure of his talent, remained high during his first few seasons.
Front offices make errors all the time and that's fine. However, by persisting with Kuminga and then defending the pick even after he's departed, the Warriors are just further frustrating their fanbase rather than simply admitting to the mistake and moving on.
Kuminga remains unsigned six weeks through free agency, but could be headed to the pacific rival Los Angeles Lakers who remain the likeliest suitor for the 6'7" forward.
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