The Golden State Warriors haven’t resolved their Jonathan Kuminga contract saga.
The situation remains unclear after Kuminga rejected the three-year, $75.2 million offer from the Warriors.
Things could change if the Warriors convert the team option to a player option, giving Kuminga more control over his future.
If Jonathan Kuminga stays, NBA insider Dalton Johnson believes he could improve with the right roster additions.
Dalton Johnson argues that Al Horford’s floor spacing would unlock Kuminga’s potential and bench Draymond Green
Johnson identified Al Horford as the key addition that could help Kuminga develop, though it would create complications for Draymond Green’s role.
The veteran forward might need to accept reduced responsibilities.
“Draymond, that’s the only thing that I can think of, honestly, if you bring in Al Horford,” Johnson explained.
“What a player like Jonathan Kuminga needs is a big man that can stretch the floor, and the only thing that I can see this working out roster wise, is if Draymond morphs into more of an Iguodala role for his final, however many, many seasons.”
Johnson believes Green would need to transition into a veteran leadership role similar to Andre Iguodala’s impact during the Warriors’ championship runs.
“That’s the only way roster wise, bringing him back, that I can see it working, because the pieces just don’t fit,” he added.
Steve Kerr faces multiple lineup challenges due to the complex roster construction
Recent ESPN reports suggest Horford would become the Warriors’ starting center with Green playing power forward.
However, Johnson believes Kuminga could replace Green in the starting lineup while Stephen Curry continues thriving as the primary option.
The situation becomes more complex with Jimmy Butler also on the roster, creating overlap in player roles and skill sets.
“I think Steph and JK can work and complement each other at times, for sure, when it comes to the pick and roll and all of that, but when you bring in Jimmy Butler, that really complicates things,” Johnson noted.
Steve Kerr faces difficult decisions about changing his veteran foundation and potentially replacing Green with Kuminga, even though Green experienced bench time last season.
The Warriors could gamble on a more aggressive offensive approach with Kuminga instead of Green, though such changes would require significant adjustments from their championship core.
