Jonathan Kuminga proving why he was worth the drama for Warriors

The offseason contract stalemate between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors threatened to ruin Stephen Curry's 17th season. 

Rather than cutting bait with the Congolese forward, the Warriors exhausted every option before agreeing to a two-year, $46.8M deal a day before the expiration date of his $8M qualifying offer. Five games into the season, the Warriors' front-office personnel look like geniuses for not letting Kuminga walk as a restricted free agent.

Jonathan Kuminga was worth the drama

Kuminga has averaged 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 53.7 percent shooting over five games, and has been a plus-25 on the floor for a Warriors team that has started with a 4-1 record. But it's not the counting stats that have won over Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who had several publicized dust-ups with Kuminga in previous years. Kerr is just impressed by Kuminga's body language and willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team.

"I think he's seeing the floor better. I just like the approach, I like the vibe that he's bringing," Kerr said of Kuminga earlier this week.

Jonathan Kuminga shuts down Clippers stars

Kerr, who notoriously benched Kuminga at various points last year, is also willing to give the 23-year-old a longer leash. Ahead of Tuesday's game against the Clippers, Kerr said Kuminga had earned a starting role, regardless of what happens with the rest of the team.

"He'll start tonight and he will be our starter going forward," Kerr said, via ESPN's Anthony Slater. "He's been fantastic. Last night, we put him on Ja [Morant]. Tonight we will put him on James Harden. I think he's ready." 

Kuminga responded to Kerr's stamp of approval in a big way, shutting down Kawhi Leonard and James Harden when matched up against the Clippers stars in the Warriors' 98-79 victory. The athletic forward held Leonard and Harden to a combined 2-of-6 shooting, a night after posing serious problems for Grizzlies star Ja Morant. 

Since the Warriors prefer switching on defense — because Draymond Green starts at center — Kuminga has also had to guard post players, a role in which he has thrived. After holding Nikola Jokic to 1-of-4 shooting in the Denver Nuggets' season opener, he caused problems for gifted post players like Santi Aldama and Ivica Zubac over the last two games.

If Kuminga continues to excel as a two-way player, the Warriors have everything to gain. His trade value will keep soaring, making him a valuable piece in a potential deal for a superstar, while he continues to help the team win. In many ways, it's a win-win situation.