Some Warriors Coaches Didn’t Want to Draft Jonathan Kuminga

According to new reporting from ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania, several staff members of the Golden State Warriors organization were not interested in drafting forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Back in 2021, the Warriors had the No. 7 overall pick and promptly took the forward out of the G-League Ignite.

Years later, Kuminga is a restricted free agent after a rocky period with the Warriors, falling in and out of the rotation.

More news: Warriors Have Made New Offer to Jonathan Kuminga

Months into restricted free agency, he and the Warriors are in a standstill.

The Warriors have the power to match any deal, giving them the leverage in negotiations. Additionally, no teams have cap space, making the Warriors Kuminga’s only real option barring a sign-and-trade — something the Warriors have declined to do.

Read more: Suns Made Trade Offer to Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga

Amid the standstill between the two sides, Slater and Charania reported that multiple figures in the organization didn’t want to draft Kuminga in the first place.

“(Warriors owner Joe) Lacob has been a central figure in Kuminga’s NBA career since the beginning. Bob Myers was team president and (Mike_ Dunleavy assistant general manager when they drafted Kuminga in 2021,” the story reads.

“They gave the collective green light, but Lacob was a driving force in the selection when others, including a few on the coaching staff, voiced a Franz Wagner preference, sources said.Lacob has remained a staunch Kuminga supporter and vocal believer in his long-term future.”

While Kuminga has not reached his full potential, he is only 22 years old and still has plenty of time to round out his game.

Last season, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, but he only played 47 games and started just five of them.

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For his career, he has shot 33.2 percent, making him a wonky fit on a Warriors team that wants to space the floor.

Also, he cannot make reads and gives inconsistent effort off the ball.

The Warriors’ coaching staff grew frustrated with his lack of progress on his weaknesses.

However, teams like the Sacramento Kings have reportedly expressed interest in the wing, believing he can reach his untapped potential.

So far, though, the Warriors have decided to keep Kuminga as they look to maintain their best trade asset heading into this season.

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