Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga has openly stated his desire for a starting position. However, former NBA coach and analyst Stan Van Gundy believes that Kuminga is unlikely to earn a starring role with Golden State or any title-contending team due to his current skill set and experience, raising questions about his future as more than a role player in the league.
Stan Van Gundy’s Assessment on Kuminga’s NBA Role
Van Gundy, speaking with The San Francisco Chronicle, noted that Kuminga is still young and has room for improvement but suggested a clear division in what kind of player he can be. He said,
“He’s only 22, without a lot of experience, so could all this improve? Absolutely.”
Yet, Van Gundy added,
“If you’re going to have him out there, you have to play through him. To me, he’s either a primary scorer on a bad team or a bench scorer on a good team.”
This perspective encapsulates the tension surrounding Kuminga’s career, caught between flashes of offensive potential and the need to find a consistent role that contributes to winning.
Kuminga was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and showed promising moments, particularly during the 2023 playoffs when star guard Stephen Curry was sidelined. In a four-game series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuminga averaged a strong 24.3 points per game on 55% shooting and 38.9% from beyond the arc. Despite his individual efforts, the Warriors lost all the games during that stretch, illustrating the gap between personal statistics and team success.
Challenges in Kuminga’s Fit Within Steve Kerr’s System
Jonathan Kuminga’s ambition to be a starter has repeatedly clashed with Golden State’s coaching philosophy under Steve Kerr. The Warriors’ system emphasizes ball movement and spacing to maximize the skills of established stars like Curry, which has limited Kuminga’s role and minutes, especially when the roster is at full strength. When the game stakes rise, Kuminga’s playing time has often diminished.
Kerr has been candid about his reasons for limiting Kuminga’s court time, stating on The TK Show in May,
“And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say, I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have — Steph, Jimmy [Butler], and Draymond [Green] — and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”
This blunt explanation highlights the divide between what Kuminga wants and how the Warriors are currently deploying him.
The situation has escalated into a standoff, with Kuminga feeling his development has been hampered by Golden State, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. Conversely, the Warriors view him primarily as a flexible asset rather than a core player. Their contract proposal reflects this, offering a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option for the second year, structured to facilitate potential trades. They have also asked Kuminga to waive his no-trade clause, while he seeks a player option to retain control over his future, signaling his refusal to become a mere “pawn.”
Contract Decisions Highlight Kuminga’s Unsettled Status Among Peers
While Kuminga remains in contract uncertainty, many of his contemporaries from the 2021 draft class have secured long-term, lucrative deals. Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and Franz Wagner each signed five-year max extensions worth up to $269 million with bonuses tied to All-NBA or other achievements. Cunningham has already earned Third-Team All-NBA honors, and Mobley was named Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Other players outside the max tier have also locked in stability: Jalen Suggs agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract, and Jalen Green recently signed a three-year, $105 million deal before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Kevin Durant.
In contrast, Kuminga remains without a comparable long-term agreement. He believes he should be grouped with peers like Cunningham and Barnes, according to a league source cited by The San Francisco Chronicle. Yet, Van Gundy disagrees, noting,
“Cade Cunningham has proven to be the best of that class,”
and added,
“He’s been the No. 1 guy, elevated his team, proven he’s an All-Star. Kuminga could make a better case with Barnes, but the difference is their ability to make plays for other people. Barnes can really pass and help you that way.”
Cunningham has led the Detroit Pistons to the playoffs, while Barnes stepped up as the Toronto Raptors’ new franchise centerpiece after the team traded Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.
Comparisons Place Kuminga Behind Established Peers
Stan Van Gundy directly compares Kuminga to Jalen Green, viewing Green as a more accomplished player at this point in their careers. He stated,
“Green has proven himself at a higher level, as the leading scorer on a 50-win playoff team.”
Van Gundy emphasized,
“Kuminga has never been more than a role guy. Whether it’s opportunity or not, those guys deserve to be paid at a higher level.”
This analysis leaves Warriors and Kuminga at a pivotal crossroads. The key question is whether Kuminga can develop into a legitimate star given the right circumstances, or if his ceiling remains as a bench scorer suited for teams vying for championships. Van Gundy leans toward the latter assessment, noting,
“I would say Wagner is a winning player, and also Cunningham and Barnes,”
before adding,
“I’m not sure about Kuminga. I don’t see the overall understanding of the game that allows him to fit among other guys, and help a team play well at both ends.”
Future of Kuminga’s Career Hinges on Contract and Role Clarity
As of now, the impasse continues. Kuminga wants a deal and role reflective of a player with star potential, while the Warriors appear intent on keeping him as a role player whose contract allows for flexibility, including trade possibilities. This impasse must be resolved for both sides to move forward, as Golden State needs roster clarity to maintain its championship contention, and Kuminga seeks the opportunity for growth and career stability.
The outcome will significantly impact Kuminga’s trajectory and could alter the Warriors’ roster construction. Whether Kuminga eventually secures a starting role or accepts a supporting position remains uncertain, but the coming months will be crucial in defining his NBA future.