Jonathan Kuminga continues to be a hot topic among Golden State Warriors fans, even after his move to the Atlanta Hawks alongside Buddy Hield in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. With so much attention on his contract and role with the Warriors, it's only natural for fans to keep tabs on his performances.
Kuminga made quite the splash in his debut with the Hawks, dropping 27 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out four assists while hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. It's tempting to see this as a missed opportunity for the Warriors, perhaps even questioning Steve Kerr's approach to developing young talent.
Yet, it's crucial for Warriors fans to remember the reality of Kuminga's time in Golden State. Even if given more room to grow, he might not have become the star they needed. His potential remains capped until he masters the fundamentals.
Concerns about Kuminga's fit alongside players like Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green often overshadowed a simple truth: consistent rebounding and defense would have secured him a spot in Kerr's rotation. As a coach with championship pedigree, Kerr knows how to construct a winning team. If you can't earn starting minutes, you need to excel in the gritty aspects of the game to see the court.
Kuminga struggled with this consistency, leading to an inevitable parting of ways. In Atlanta, he'll have more chances to shine. The Hawks' roster, rich in shooters, can better accommodate his offensive talents, and they're willing to give him substantial playing time for the rest of the season.
However, Kuminga's path isn't without obstacles. Jalen Johnson stands in his way, and it's uncertain how Kuminga fits into Atlanta's long-term plans. The harsh reality is that while Kuminga might blossom into a star scorer or an explosive bench contributor in the right system, this shouldn't surprise Warriors fans.
As Kuminga embarks on proving the Warriors wrong, it's important to avoid hindsight bias. What could Golden State have realistically done?
Restructure their offense for a forward on a rookie contract? The truth is, Kuminga couldn't have reached his potential within the Warriors' system.
This is a key point to remember as the season unfolds, regardless of Kuminga's performance.