Jonathan Kuminga the X factor to Warriors' title aspirations

The Warriors (28-27) walked into NBA All-Star Weekend as the 10th seed in the West, with the 11th-shortest odds to win the championship. 

Yet, Draymond Green has boldly declared that his team will upset the apple cart and hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June. Green believes the acquisition of Jimmy Butler has infused a new level of belief within the Warriors and that they have the requisite tools to win the title.

Another player who could play a pivotal role in a deep playoff run for Golden State is Jonathan Kuminga. The fourth-year forward averaged an impressive 21.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in December before being sidelined with an ankle sprain. The athletic wing is expected to return post-All-Star break, a move that TNT analyst Kenny Smith believes will bolster Golden State to new heights.

In an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, Smith explained why Kuminga could be Golden State's X factor in the business end of the season.

"He has to take the step. Not a step, the step that separates him from the rest of the pack," Smith said of Kuminga. "And if he does that, we're going to be looking around here in May going 'Oh my God, they're in the Western Conference finals.' But if he doesn't, it will be an interesting summer."

Smith believes Kuminga can be "a better version" of Serge Ibaka, who played a key role in the Thunder's path to the 2012 NBA Finals, with his rim-running and shot-blocking ability. He added that Golden State doesn't need Kuminga to play like a superstar, but rather excel in his role in supporting Stephen Curry, Butler and Green. 

"He could be a shot-blocker defender because of his athleticism, a run-the-lane dunker. And what he's added, he can handle the basketball," Smith said of Kuminga. 

The Warriors have a big decision on Kuminga's future this summer. The 22-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent after he failed to reach a contract extension before last year's deadline.