LOS ANGELES — It’s not hyperbole that the Golden State Warriors’ offseason quite literally revolved around Jonathan Kuminga. So much so, the organization didn’t even have enough players on their active roster to run a five-on-five scrimmage until they figured out which direction they wanted to take with Kuminga.
Sure, the Warriors had commitments from veterans such as Al Horford, Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton lined up, but that didn’t matter. Golden State couldn’t move forward without figuring out what to do with its 23-year-old restricted free agent forward. After all the dust settled, Golden State ended up being the last team in the association to add a newcomer either via free agency or on the trade market.
Waiting to decide on Kuminga’s future until just weeks before their season-opener on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers was no doubt a risk. However, the Warriors’ thinking — and almost no-brainer decision to bring Kuminga back and kick the can down the road — appears to be the right one. Kuminga finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes during the Warriors’ 119-109 win over the Lakers and showed why the best version of Golden State revolves around him being at his best.
“He has really matured,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We have had some really good conversations. He has a better understanding. … I think he just has a better sense of what is needed now compared to past years. I think Jimmy (Butler) has really helped him, too.”
Part of why Kuminga is still the biggest unknown on this roster is that there are flashes — like Tuesday — that prove he should be a crucial cog in the long-term plan. But, at the same time, the reason there have been question marks — and why he signed a two-year, $48 million deal to return — is that there have been perplexing stretches during his career that could lead to an inevitable divorce down the line.
Kuminga wants to be featured. It’s why the pitch from the Sacramento Kings — who were reportedly interested in him this summer — might have…
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