The Golden State Warriors have a Jonathan Kuminga problem. They’ve had one for most of his time on the team since being drafted. Kuminga wants to be a star, and the Warriors need him to be a star role player. That’s why many are expecting a Kuminga sign and trade this summer.
Kuminga recently spoke with Anthony Slater of The Athletic about his time in Golden State and what he wants next in his career.
“I feel like I’m at the point where that has to be my priority, to just be one of the guys a team relies on. Aiming to be an All-Star. Multiple times. Aiming to be great. … Wherever I’m going to be at, it don’t matter if it’s the Warriors or if it’s anywhere else, it’s something I want. I want to see what I could do. I know I got it. So I want to really see. I’ve never got that chance.”
Since his rookie season, Kuminga has been worrying more about his own accolades than team success. This is part of why he has been in Steve Kerr’s dog house so many times. It is also why the Warriors’ stars are likely okay with parting with him this offseason.
It is time to move on from Kuminga. The Warriors need to be focused on getting Stephen Curry another championship. They’ve already spent time and lost value by trying to let Kuminga blossom into what they need.
Unfortunately, what the Warriors need is not what Kuminga wants to be.
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So maybe Kuminga will become a star. It likely won’t be on a good team. That seems to be okay with Kuminga, but it shouldn’t be okay with the Warriors.
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