The conversation with the Golden State Warriors about Jonathan Kuminga’s future continues to grow. The discussion centers around two important possibilities of young forwards.
Cuminga will become a trade asset that will help Golden State win another star, or develop into the franchise’s next cornerstone. The world of basketball remains divided on which paths make more sense.
Recently, former NBA player Chandler Parsons joined the debate with strong opinions about Kuminga’s career trajectory. The former Dallas Mavericks star believes that there is great potential for a young forward, but that the landscape needs to be changed to unleash it.
The veteran pointed to Kuminga’s performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves as evidence of his abilities. When Stephen Curry was on the sidelines, Kuminga stepped up as the Warriors’ main goal scorer, bringing an impressive result that caught the attention of Parsons.
Despite recognizing this talent, Parsons believes Kuminga’s skill set does not match the established system of Golden State. Previous players believe that different franchises can better maximize the natural and raw athletic abilities of young forwards.
“I’m a big Jonathan Cuminga guy. I understand that when Jimmy Butler came there, it could have changed his production and minutes,” Parsons said.
“But when I saw his team play, and Steph Curry came out, he plugged him in right away. He was still successful and professional.
Based on playoff observations, Parsons highlighted how Cuminga’s performance revealed his true ceiling as a player.
The former star believes this summer’s limited free agency period could be a great opportunity for both Kuminga and the team of interest.
“That series showed me everything I need to know about Jonathan Cuminga, he is a restricted free agent and I hope someone will give him a big deal.
“Or they have the signs and trade that I think makes the most sense to them.”
While praising Kuminga’s talent, Parsons highlighted the fundamental disconnect between the style of the young players and the Golden State system. This philosophical difference may ultimately promote separations that both sides may need.
“He’s very young. He’s raw. He’s not necessarily like the guy in the system. He may not fit in that attack, free flow and movement, but there are plenty of other teams and organizations that have achieved a lot of success with his raw athleticism and development alone.”
One of the prolonged issues in the Cuminga situation is the Baldominant System in the Golden State.
Many analysts believe that the Warriors’ reliance on curry and current Butlers, promoted through playmakers like Draymond Green, will showcase their decision-making capabilities by limiting opportunities for ball-handling advances like Cuminga.
Competitions in this system can ultimately decide whether Cuminga will stay in Golden State or find a new home where his talent can flourish.
