There is a dilemma Jonathan Kuminga to the Warriors. The franchise does not want to extend the young Congolese's contract too quickly, with Steve Kerr still wondering what his exact role is within the team.
So far, the 7th pick in the 2021 Draft has shown his best side as a power forward, in the absence of Draymond Green or when the latter was used as a pivot. As a winger, it is more difficult for him, particularly because of his limitations in outside shooting (32%) even if he assures that it is his natural position…
“I've been a winger my whole life” he explains so in a conversation with our colleague Tim Kawakami. “But I don’t have a position at this point because, like I said, when I work in the summer, I work on everything because as a winger, I can play anywhere. I never defined myself as a winger because I know I can play winger. That’s where I’ve played since I was little. So it’s just about progressing, mentally, physically, in toughness and in knowing my role and what I have to bring to the team.”
Holder or replacement?
Can he be effective alongside Draymond Green? That's one of his coach's questions…
“I'm a winger, like I said. I don't see… Draymond will always be Draymond, and I can play with Draymond, with anyone for that matter. I don't see anyone blocking my path (due to lack of complementarity) because I really feel like we can all be on the field at the same time.”
The fact remains that despite the departure of Klay Thompson, Steve Kerr will probably still have to make choices, and Jonathan Kuminga could once again be pushed to the bench for the balance of the team.
Last year, it almost led to a divorce, but the person concerned prefers not to think about it (yet).
“I'm not thinking about that right now.” he answers about the possibility of being a replacement. “But I'm working on it. The goal is to be a full-time starter, but I'm not worried about what comes next because I know how much work I've put in, and I know things change when I get on the field. So I'm not worried about that.”
| Jonathan Kuminga | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | GOS | 70 | 17 | 51.3 | 33.6 | 68.4 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 9.3 |
| 2022-23 | GOS | 67 | 21 | 52.5 | 37.0 | 65.2 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 9.9 |
| 2023-24 | GOS | 74 | 26 | 52.9 | 32.1 | 74.6 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 16.1 |
| Total | 211 | 22 | 52.4 | 34.1 | 70.7 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 11.9 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
