The revamped Golden State Warriors, sans future Hall of Fame sharpshooter Klay Thompson, are hoping to return to the NBA playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament this past April.
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the two other pillars of their dynasty, are still around, and forward Jonathan Kuminga blossomed last season as a stud following two disappointing years to start his pro career.
Kuminga is starting the final year of his rookie contract, and he didn’t sign an extension before Monday’s deadline.
Per NBC Sports, the Brooklyn Nets may be willing to make him a sizable offer next offseason.
“The Nets are going to be a stalking horse for everyone,” Jake Fischer said on Bleacher Report. “There’s already been rumblings of Brooklyn potentially willing to throw a big offer sheet at Jonathan Kuminga.”
Some wondered if Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, had the requisite dedication and work ethic to make it as a good player, but last season, he zoomed to 16.1 points a game while shooting 52.9 percent from the field.
That production made him a fixture in head coach Steve Kerr’s starting lineup, and with Thompson now playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State may need more production from him.
If they are to find a way to squeeze out one more championship run from Curry, Kuminga will have to play a large role, and he will likely have to become their third star or possibly even their second offensive option.
In their opening night blowout win against the Portland Trail Blazers, he went just 3-of-9 from the field and scored 10 points in 20 minutes of playing time.
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