Warriors' Klay Thompson names young star 'future of the franchise'

Despite having future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in their ranks, the Warriors are clearly in a transition phase. A year after suffering a second-round exit in the playoffs, the Warriors are again projected to be bounced out of the postseason early if they even get out of the play-in.

Yet, Thompson believes the future of the team is in safe hands. After Golden State's 128-121 win over the Lakers on Saturday, Thompson explained why Jonathan Kuminga has the requisite tools to carry the franchise into its next chapter.

"Jonathan has been incredible for us," Thompson told reporters. "He might be the best athlete in the NBA, just his ability to rise up and his combination of speed. He's the future of the franchise and we need him to go where we want to go this season."

The Warriors may not "go" where they truly want to this season, but Kuminga's performance in the playoffs could solidify him as Curry's successor in the grander scheme of things. Last year, the Congo native averaged only 6.1 minutes per game through 10 playoff games and barely made coach Steve Kerr's rotation.

This year didn't start on the right note, either, as Kuminga continued to come off the bench to start the season. The 21-year-old averaged 12.1 points through the first three months, and after reports surfaced of his rift with Kerr, there were murmurs of Golden State parting with him at the trade deadline. However, Kuminga has salvaged both his season and his future as a Warrior in the second half of the season — averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists since the All-Star break.

It's often said that players truly earn their chops in the postseason. It's now up to Kuminga to validate Thompson's comments. 

The ninth-seeded Warriors (35-31) are slated to go through the play-in tournament where they could face the Kings, Lakers or Mavericks. Their path to the playoffs won't be easy.