During his first five years in the NBA, most would agree that Jonathan Kuminga’s best quality has been scoring the basketball. Obviously, that is important, but teams are looking for players who can be much more well-rounded. Ask Cam Thomas.
Over the last few years, Kuminga has done so, but not to the level that makes him highly sought after by all teams. He has become a better defender, but more work can be done, and he knows this.
Dane Moore asked him during his introductory press conference with the Minnesota Timberwolves what he could add on the defensive side.
“I think being around one of the best defenders in the league, people like Jaden (McDaniels), I think I can learn so much more," Kuminga said. "Just watching those guys can help me in so many ways with certain things that I don't know on defense. I feel like they're the type of people who are going to push me and help me every single day, mostly on the defensive side. I spoke to (Chris) Finch, and it was just, ‘Help us play defense."
Yes, actions speak louder than words. Listening to this quote, though, would lead one to believe that Kuminga is bought into what the Timberwolves hope to see from him on the defensive end. At 6-foot-7, 225 Kuminga has all the tools to be a high-level defender, it will just be a matter of putting them together.
Might be more willing to learn than he was with the Warriors
Preparing to enter his sixth NBA season, Kuminga will turn just 24 years old on October 6.
He entered the league with the Golden State Warriors as a young pup and perhaps wasn’t ready to hear out those looking to help him develop outside of scoring. He spent the early years of his career around Draymond Green, one of the best defensive players of this era.
During his rookie year, 2021–22, Golden State had the league's second-best defensive rating, and the team won a title. Why couldn’t he learn early on in his career from that team and do some of the things he spoke of during Thursday’s press conference?
Kuminga was still a few months away from turning 20 when he was a member of the championship-winning Warriors squad. It would make sense if he had matured in the four-plus years since.
He also never seemed to be fully in Steve Kerr’s good graces. That could have led to more frustration on Kuminga’s part, making him less inclined to listen to Green and the other veterans littered throughout Golden State’s roster.
Minnesota represents a fresh start for Kuminga. He said the right things during the press conference and soon after signing with the Wolves. Yes, he can score, but what else can he do better than most players in the league?
Kuminga likely knows that, in order to do better on his next contract, he needs to act upon the words he has spoken.
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