Jonathan Kuminga was supposed to be two to three years away from being an impact guy on an NBA title-contending team. That's why it raised eyebrows when the Warriors selected the high-upside prospect with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
But Kuminga flashed his potential early on, and his development for a Warriors team with championship aspirations has been impressive. With each passing game, the 19-year-old wing seems to offer new evidence as to why he'll play a factor in the title chase to come this summer.
That's why most believed he would be a shoo-in for the 2022 Clorox Rising Stars game at NBA All-Star Weekend. But Kuminga didn't make the cut, a snub that boggles the mind of teammate Klay Thompson.
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"His floor game," Thompson said Monday when asked what has surprised him about Kuminga's game. "He's so good around the rim. He's really good in the post. His jump shot is very fluid. His IQ, to be 19 and make the impact he does, it's a travesty he's not in the rookie-sophomore game. That just doesn't make any sense. I don't know what the NBA was looking for in that one."
While Thompson doesn't understand why Kuminga won't be in Cleveland for All-Star Weekend, the rookie isn't sweating it.
"They did what they did," Kuminga said Monday after the Warriors' win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. "I don't really worry about that as long as I'm still playing here, getting better every single day. Most of the time when you go to the Rising Stars Game, it's not really helping you work on your own craft. It's just a fun game. I mean, I would love to be there, but they passed on me, so I don't got to worry about that. I'm just focused on the future now and helping the team win and just getting better every day."
RELATED: Kuminga's energy wakes up Warriors in OKC
Golden State Warriors
Kuminga gave the Warriors a massive energy boost Monday night in Oklahoma City. The rookie's furious four-minute stretch included hustle plays, solid defense, and a thunderous dunk that helped get Golden State going after a sluggish start.
“Get everybody going, playing hard,” Kuminga said of the purpose of his high-energy burst. “If I do some good, it just gets my team excited. Everybody can wake up, and they’re going to turn up.”
Kuminga still has a lot to work on, but he has earned his minutes and is willing to do whatever is asked of him to help the Warriors win. With 28 games remaining in the regular season, there's reason to believe Kuminga will earn a bigger role come playoff time.
And starring in May and June is more important than having a fun night in Cleveland in February.