Thompson: The Warriors invested in Jonathan Kuminga, and it’s paying off

SAN FRANCISCO — If Steve Kerr had called a timeout, any advantage the Warriors might have had in transition would have been negated. For years, they have been exploiting the cracks created in the chaos. Advantage Sacramento. If Stephen Curry had called a timeout, as hindsight suggests, the visiting Kings, who led by one point on Thursday, would have had a chance to set up their defense — and make optimal changes. The defensive stop they needed in the final seconds to make a plan and score a point. Advantage Sacramento.

But if the Warriors had called a timeout with just the basket, they might have taken one of the actions and intentionally tried to get into the lane. That’s where Jonathan Kuminga did most of his damage to score 31 points. Advantage Golden State.

The final possession mess ended up costing the Warriors. But in hindsight, the gains become clear. Because, unlike in previous years, when the Warriors weighed their options on what to do, the viable option was for Kuminga to leave.

“That’s my brother,” Andrew Wiggins said. “I always tell him, ‘No one can stop you, brother.’ You’re too strong. You’re too fast. You’re too good at basketball.’ And every day he gets better and better. His shot is getting better. His handle. His passing. He’s getting to the rim at will. That’s why I tell him to continue to be that guy.”

Dubs Nation’s season of raw suffering was compounded by another heartbreaking 134-133 loss to their rivals on Interstate 80. The latest edition of the most entertaining rivalry ended with a shock for the Warriors as Curry entered his bag again. He broke his handle after making a game-winning dribble.

But even in a season of anxiety, comfort can be found in Kuminga’s growth. The biggest and most important revelation is the No. 7 pick in 2021 being selected for future stardom that is currently being rendered. The same players who nine months ago didn’t look like they could play in a postseason series against the Kings couldn’t be protected by them Thursday night.

Kuminga is averaging 25.6 points on 65.4 percent shooting over the past five games. During that span, he shot 67.2 percent from inside the paint, including 24-of-30 from inside the restricted area.

Due to the small sample size, the conservative response at this point is that he is a much-needed change to the Warriors’ offense. But what is undeniable is the influence that opportunity and confidence have on his play. Unconservative reaction? He looks like the future. He seems like someone who’s stepping up to fill the void of a star player in the Warriors’ lineup.

This is why the Warriors can’t trade him. According to multiple team officials, the Warriors had no such plans and he never did. With the NBA trade deadline just two weeks away, his stock is steadily rising. However, kuminga cannot be called a sweetener. He’s not an add-on. He’s the foundational part. There is nothing in this trading market to suggest that there will be any worthwhile returns. If Kuminga is included in the deal, it should be a deal that puts the Warriors over the top without hesitation.

If not, they owe it to themselves, to him, to see how this turns out.

This is what all the hard work, all the stops and starts were about. All wisdom was poured into it, strict boundaries were drawn, and frustrating lessons were taught. In reality, it was Kuminga, who might become the pillar of the future they envisioned.

“That’s what we expected,” Kevon Looney said. “We’ve all seen flashes of that. We all know what he’s capable of. With all the adversity we’re facing, we’ve all seen that flash. It’s cool to see them put together.

“Everyone knew he could score,” Rooney continued. “But the little things are things he had to get better at. Rebounding. Boxing out. Being a great defender. Playing in passing lanes. If you pay attention to that, it’s something he does naturally. It always comes easily to him. I’m proud of him for all the little things he does.”

Now is the time to lean more into Kuminga. Please post the minutes. Expand his role.

Harrison Barnes, who scored a career-high 39 points for the Warriors, played 40 minutes. Sacramento’s rising star Keegan Murray played 38 minutes. The Kings’ best player, De’Aaron Fox, played at age 36. Kuminga, who is in his third year, is younger than most of the players, including one who is 10 years younger than Barnes. Kuminga has played fewer career minutes than Murray and is midway through his second season. There’s no need for Kuminga to play just 30 minutes, especially when he’s playing well. Bent down.

Kuminga’s style of play and his recent performances are a perfect complement to Curry. They desperately needed someone who could create offense while the defense paid special attention to Curry. They need players who can pressure the rim and take advantage of one-on-one matchups. Kuminga is the player the Warriors needed to spice up their offense.

With the return of Draymond Green, the combination of Kuminga and Wiggins becomes even more powerful as a lineup. In a league full of athletic wings, the Warriors need them on the court together. Most of the season was a disaster. But these days it’s working.

In the last two games, Kuminga and Wiggins are plus-22 in 28 minutes. With Green back, the quartet of Kuminga, Wiggins, Green and Curry combined to be plus-30 in 32 minutes.

“It’s encouraging to see JK and Wiggs together,” Kerr said. “They struggled together early in the season, but we’re going to streamline some things with Draymond, Steph and either (Brandin Podzemski), Klay (Thompson) or Dario (Salic). That way we’ll have some extra shooters and playmaking.”

The Warriors turned to Kuminga late Friday, and he delivered. He scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, all of which came from the paint, including two 3-point plays. He and Curry combined for the Warriors’ final 19 points.

With the game on the line in the final 20 seconds, the Warriors went to Kuminga and hit the ball against the post. He made good moves and looked inside Barnes properly. However, he lost the ball midway through and believes he was fouled, but he didn’t make it.

But in the grand scheme of things, that’s fine. He has advanced to a new level and now has to start learning how to produce on the fly. The Warriors, who have already invested heavily in Kuminga’s paradigm development, should be leaning toward this next stage. Develop his go-to moves. Start mastering the action with Him and Curry and Him and Green.

Everyone understands what’s going on here. Perhaps it could have happened sooner. But the most important thing is that it’s happening.

“Sometimes that’s a good thing, you know?” Wiggins, the No. 1 pick who averaged 36 minutes as a rookie, said Kuminga had to bide his time. “He’s gotten a ring and he’s learning from a Hall of Famer. He’s playing with one of the greatest players to ever touch basketball. So now it’s his turn. He’s playing basketball to win. He knows how to play. He knows what it takes.

“It just took patience,” Wiggins continued. “But to be honest, this is a very good organization, brother. This is first class, top class. You want to be here. As a member of this team, it’s different. It’s a luxury organization. So, It’s like nowhere else. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. If you have a chance to build something special here, do it. Now he’s sure of it too. I feel like I know you.”

Two games back from the play-in tournament and four games below .500, the Warriors could use a move to close the hole that continues to sink them. There may not be that much, and if there is a little more loss, they may turn into sellers, pay dumps.

But Kuminga’s meteoric rise means they won’t go into the trade deadline empty-handed. Whether they’re doing anything this season or simply preparing for a rebuilt future, Kuminga is an important piece. This is what they planned and now it is here.

“It’s the best feeling to be able to say, ‘I told you this was going to happen,'” Rooney said with a smile. “They always have doubts. Everyone wants it right away. But if you keep working and play basketball the right way, it will pay off.”

But Rooney keeps saying, “I told you so.”

“Let him have a little bit of fun,” Rooney said. “Let’s give him credit now because he always gives credit. His hard work is paying off.”

(Top photo of Jonathan Kuminga: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)