The Golden State Warriors have the seventh pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, as well as No. 14. This is the second year in a row they were gifted with a chance to pick a top prospect. Among those available in the draft pool, some believe that the front office will select Jonathan Kuminga seventh overall. The 18-year-old decided to skip college and head straight to the G League Ignite team, where he showed some promise.
There are suggestions and rumors that the Warriors should insert the No. 7 pick in a trade package for a veteran. After all, the Warriors are in desperate need to get back to contention. They don't really have the luxury of time to develop a young gun like Kuminga.
However, a close examination of the Congolese forward's style will show us that the Warriors just might need Kuminga in their quest for another title now and in the future.
1. Perfect For Kerr's Positionless Lineups
Jonathan Kuminga stands 6-foot-8 but can comfortably play the guard and forward spots. He has enough mobility to defend those smaller than him and also has the brute strength to get down and dirty with the bigs. This inherent ability makes Kuminga perfect for Steve Kerr's penchant to field positionless lineups.
Warriors fans are well familiar with their classic lineup with their core group of Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry. While Thompson and Curry are the natural guards, it's actually Green who plays the traditional point guard duty of orchestrating the offense. This allows Thompson and Curry to concentrate on carrying the scoring chores for the team.
There are lingering concerns about Kuminga's shooting percentage (38.7 percent overall and 24.6 percent on 3-pointers). However, a look at his offensive package shows a good set of post moves and footwork. He's also a decent defender, which already makes him better than most prospects.
Also, note that he's just 18 years old. The way Kerr and staff placed James Wiseman in an incubator reveals how careful they are in the development of their young players.
2. Great Rebounder
Kuminga grabbed 7.2 rebounds per game for the G League Ignite squad. A great rebounder is an asset no matter how you look at it. The Warriors were one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA this season, so they could definitely use help in this area. Yes, they missed Klay Thompson's services as a big guard, but the Warriors also didn't have the right overall set of players to crash the boards.
A look at their championship years reveals that the Warriors were typically better at rebounding, even if they weren't necessarily elite at it. This was an impressive feat given they often played small ball with Draymond Green at center and never had a dominant big. Their chemistry, which they developed over the years, also made rebounding a lot smoother. After all, this part of the game requires a good amount of communication as well.
Kuminga's ability to crash the boards makes him an ideal player for Golden State to draft. The Warriors need another player who will aggressively attack the boards to end defensive possessions, and perhaps he could also help create more scoring opportunities by hitting the offensive glass.
3. Playmaking Potential
Kuminga's 2.7 assists per game last season isn't indicative of his full playmaking abilities. A look at his highlight reel shows his playmaking potential in several instances. Kuminga was quick to spot when players were cutting to the hoop. The 18-year-old doesn't hesitate to throw the dart passes to his teammates upon seeing an opening. Connected to his rebounding ability is his ability to throw the quick outlet pass. This is not a skill everyone has. Kuminga has shown off that this skill comes naturally to him.
In connection to his mobility, Kuminga has also proven he can run the fast break. It's astounding to see a guy his size lead the break, which either concludes with him taking it all the way or dishing it off.
It's tempting to say that Kuminga can evolve into a player like Draymond Green. After all, this would greatly depend on how Kerr intends to use the young prospect. However, let's be reminded that Green wasn't the playmaker that he is today when he first came into the NBA. Green showed flashes of his playmaking potential, but it took years and the right opportunities to develop it so he could become elite at it. Kerr may be able to spot this and hone it further with Jonathan Kuminga.
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