The state of affairs between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors stays unsettled this offseason, and former NBA guard Austin Rivers believes the writing is on the wall.
Golden State reportedly provided Kuminga a two-year, $45 million deal, however the he turned it down.
He’s in search of more cash, long-term safety, and most significantly, an outlined position with constant minutes.
Rivers in contrast the state of affairs to how the Atlanta Hawks have dealt with Jalen Johnson.
“That’s not a spot that traditionally has developed younger expertise,” Rivers stated on Ringer NBA. “Whenever you take a look at different younger prospects, they introduced gamers in strategically to suit round Steph. They nonetheless play by way of Steph. Steph stated in an interview the opposite day, ‘I’m nowhere close to retiring. That practice remains to be transferring.’ You already know, they signed Jimmy to a two-year extension, a man who performs the identical place as Kuminga, two years $120 million, in order that doesn’t inform Kuminga proper then and there that that is the path we’re entering into.
“The principle distinction is Jalen Johnson has progressed by way of the crew that drafted him that wishes him to be a star, in order that they’re paying him to be that. It’s not exhausting to understand Kuminga. It’s been an up-and-down curler coaster. His minutes have been up and down. He needs to be a star. He needs to be a primary or second possibility. It’s not going to occur on the Warriors. They’ve made that very clear by enjoying quite a lot of guys over [him].”
The 22-year-old was drafted seventh general in 2022 and confirmed flashes of changing into a key offensive piece however endured one other inconsistent season.
A midyear damage sidelined him for practically half the yr, and when he returned, his position remained unclear. Nonetheless, he averaged 15.3 factors, 4.6 rebounds, and a pair of.2 assists in 47 video games and matched that manufacturing within the playoffs.
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