Draymond Green has his eyes fixed on the Golden State Warriors’ future – and he’s pointing directly at Jonathan Kuminga.
After a turbulent offseason filled with contract drama, Kuminga finally inked a two-year, $48.5 million deal with the Warriors on September 30, ensuring the team’s young forward will be part of what may be the franchise’s final title chase with its aging core.
“It’s a completely different look than what you’re getting all the time,” Green said. “That’s definitely beneficial, and that’s why we need JK to be JK, what he’s capable of being. It’s on us to figure out how to unlock him.”
Green compared this Warriors squad to the 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs, who thrived on depth, balance, and selflessness – a model he clearly admires.
The Warriors have the blueprint for a championship
“One of the most important things about that team was they never would beat themselves,” Green explained. “You had to f– beat them. They would just stay steady. Then Kawhi would come off the bench, and it was like, ‘Uh-oh.'”
This version of the Warriors has a similar recipe. The front office went all-in – trading for Jimmy Butler, signing Al Horford, and re-signing Kuminga – while also adding De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry for extra firepower.
Head coach Steve Kerr now calls it one of the deepest rosters he’s had, with veterans like Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, and Quinten Post balancing out the youth of Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody.
The Warriors want to use their championship window
With Stephen Curry, 37, still leading the charge, the Warriors are entering full win-now mode – a final push to secure one more championship before time catches up. History suggests few have thrived as elite scorers past their mid-30s – only Jordan and Curry – a fact Green finds “very fitting” for his legendary teammate.
For now, all eyes turn to Kuminga, who could be the key to bridging Golden State’s past and future. As Green put it, the mission is simple: “We need JK to be JK.”
Read the full article here
