Why Warriors must keep Jonathan Kuminga
As the Feb. 9 trade deadline approaches, Golden State isn't actively shopping 20-year-old Jonathan Kuminga, per The Athletic, and that's good news for Warriors fans.
Golden State should slam the door on any deal for Kuminga, a raw talent with riveting potential.
The 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward -- the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft -- can guard one through four and is among the more athletic young slashers across the league.
In Golden State's perplexing loss to short-handed Brooklyn on Sunday, Kuminga shined. His ability to get to the rim with few dribbles sets him apart from many players, and on the fast break, few can contain him.
A slow start for Kuminga found him buried on the bench and unable to secure a stable spot in the rotation. Since mid-December, however, he has played well off the bench.
In his past 14 games, Kuminga is averaging 11.5 points (51% from the field), 3.7 rebounds and three assists. His defense and playmaking have been superb recently.
In a recent interview with Shams Charania of Stadium, he talked about his time with the Warriors and the player he thinks he can be:
Kuminga, paired with Andrew Wiggins on the wing, could be a force come playoff time. Earlier this season, Kuminga held LaMelo Ball to 21 points on 25 shots.
Afterward, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, per The Athletic: "We went with him for his defense. He made huge plays defensively [and] I thought he was just brilliant."
Kuminga is an absolute pest when guarding ball handlers because of his ridiculous length, lateral quickness and jumping ability.
Of the Warriors' three youngsters -- Kuminga, James Wiseman and Moses Mooney -- Kuminga clearly is the most productive and consistent.
Bottom line: No way the Warriors (23-24) should trade him.
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