The Golden State Warriors went till the end of the trade deadline scouting through the market for that one improving chip. And well, they got in in Jimmy Butler. Ending his saga with the Heat meant a refreshed mindset for the Bay for the remainder of the season. In the last push with Stephen Curry, the Warriors are hoping Butler’s playoff exploits and raging competitiveness can help them get over the middling hump they currently face.
But even though Andrew Wiggins had to leave, the sacrifices aren’t over just yet. Austin Rivers suspects Jonathan Kuminga’s dissatisfaction will likely grow with Butler’s introduction.
With an extension not yet hovering over him, the fanbase and even Kuminga have wondered about his future. He decided to embrace his role this season and counted on proving himself to the top brass. Furthermore, the Warriors too made it a point to not trade away the currently injured forward. However, Rivers thinks now that Jimmy Butler is joining Curry and Green, his minutes will fluctuate again.
Hence, Kuminga could once again get lost in the fold. “Now with Jimmy there, he ain’t never going to play the right way in terms of like him having that freedom that a guy like that needs to really be… like for a guy like that who has the talent he has, he should be playing somewhere, getting 30 minutes a game with the ball in his hand sometimes. Like that’s what Kuminga should be faced with,” the former Clippers guard added.
In spite of being one of the only players without an extension from his draft class, Jonathan Kuminga has moved the needle this season. He is averaging a career-high 16.8 points while being a solid defender. However, his inconsistent three-point shot has led to Steve Kerr keeping him being a regular starter for the Warriors.
And now, the team is in a complicated situation. They need to put together a series of wins, and acclimating Jimmy Butler means playing him heavy minutes with the starting string. This could strengthen Kuminga’s willingness to leave next season. But that might be just what the Warriors are looking for.
The Warriors could use Jonathan Kuminga for a new star
The moment Butler found his new home, he signed a two-year $112 million extension with the Warriors. It solidifies the core of the franchise’s loaded title push. With his contract lining up with Stephen Curry, it gives the Bay a prolific foundation to build a team around. And they could be faced with a key decision in the offseason.
The summer opens up the doors to signing a number of free agents. The likes of Bucks’ Brook Lopez or even a bigger fish such as Julius Randle could be some possible options for the Warriors. However, in order to do so they need to compound some contracts. That’s where they could offer an extension to Kuminga as a catalyst.
“The fact that they were able to add Jimmy Butler to the Warriors, man, and not have to give up that much, and not to mention you got a two-year window with him, you got a two-year extension. Things are looking more up if you’re a Warriors fan. If you’re a Warriors fan, you’re like, bro, and we still got Kuminga. We could move him whenever for something else. That’ll be the next piece with the Warriors is when they move Kuminga for somebody that fits in with this team,” Rivers said on Off Guard.
The 22-year-old wing is eligible for a $220 million extension in the offseason. While they may not give him the entire sum, a lucrative deal could be tempting for teams looking for a promising forward like Kuminga. The doors will surely open for the Bay in such a scenario. But before committing any money to JK, it will be vital to have a trade partner ready to do business with the team.
Nonetheless, in this two-year window, the front office will look to make aggressive moves. And if not Kuminga, a splash still remains inevitable. Do you think another star will join the Golden State Warriors next season? Let us know your views in the comments below.
