Jonathan Kuminga Flashes New Skill During Preseason Games

The Golden State Warriors are hoping Jonathan Kuminga can have a breakout season. After a long and tumultuous summer of contract negotiations, Kuminga is finally signed to a two-year deal that theoretically will keep him on the team for the Warriors’ short-term future. Many are expecting the Warriors to try to trade Kuminga when he can be traded on January 15, but if Kuminga shows that he can play the role the Warriors want him to, they could keep him.

Part of what the Warriors need from Kuminga is more defense, better rebounding, and a higher basketball IQ. For Kuminga to maximize his potential in the Warriors’ system, he needs to learn how to flow in their read-and-react offensive system.

Kuminga’s lack of passing prowess has hindered him in this pursuit. In his first four seasons with the Warriors, he has never averaged more than 2.2 assists per game. His “me-first” offensive mindset has led the Warriors’ coaches to bench him, even though he's needed for his athleticism and scoring.

This preseason, however, Kuminga is flashing a new passing prowess. 

In the four preseason games so far, Kuminga has looked like a much-improved distributor. He has averaged four assists per game in the preseason—almost double his career high.

In fact, he may be passing too much. Kuminga seems to be looking to pass in situations where he probably could just take the shot himself. He has also been forcing it a bit. Kuminga is averaging three turnovers per game in the preseason, which is too many.

But hey, that’s what the preseason is for. While Kuminga irons out the kinks of his new playmaking skills, the Warriors have to be excited. This is the kind of improvement they were hoping to see from Kuminga.