Although the Golden State Warriors' seven-game winning streak ended on Sunday, there was one positive takeaway from this game against the Charlotte Hornets. That positive was the play of their first lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jonathan Kuminga. His defensive abilities were on full display, and Draymond Green noticed some things and made a bold claim about the rookie's future.

“I have no doubt in my mind that he (Jonathan Kuminga) can check just about anybody. He has the size, has the strength, has the quickness, and length. Everything you want in a defender, he kind of has. He's going to be a hell of a defender,” Green told ClutchPoints.

Kuminga recorded two steals and a block while guarding LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. The Warriors youngster also finished the game with the team's second-highest plus-minus with plus-11. He trailed only Stephen Curry, who was at plus-14.

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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) holds the ball as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) plays defense in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Draymond Green gets real on Timberwolves’ Julius Randle dominating him
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) talks with forward Jonathan Kuminga (right) during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.
Warriors’ Draymond Green makes bold claim about Jonathan Kuminga’s ‘bright’ future

In the previous game against the Chicago Bulls, Kuminga had the task of guarding DeMar DeRozan and did a solid job against him. He made things challenging and used his size and quickness to stay in front of the Bulls star in a dominant win.

The Warriors rookie is starting to get in Steve Kerr's rotation more and more. It appears the more he plays, the better he's performing. Against the Hornets, he finished with the stat line of nine points and five rebounds in only nine minutes of play.

As long as he continues to give the team good minutes, you can expect to see more and more of Kuminga. The quicker he settles into a role with the squad, the better. His athletic ability will be something the Warriors could use down the road.