No Extension For Warriors' Kuminga, But They Compare Him to 3 Superstars

The deadline has come and gone, and Jonathan Kuminga, the Golden State Warriors' top pick in the 2021 NBA Draft will go unsigned heading into the season—the highest-drafted player from that class (7th overall) not to get a rookie extension.

But hey, there's a good reason: Kuminga, who did take a big step forward last year, believes he's worth the max extension of $224 million. And according to insider Shams Charania, the Warriors actually feel he's showing a similar course to that of a Kawhi Leonard, a Pascal Siakam and a Jaylen Brown (all of them NBA champions).

Jonathan Kuminga believes he could have a star trajectory similar to Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam, per @ShamsCharania

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 )

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 21, 2024
He believes strongly in his play. He really believes he has a chance to be a star calibre player. You look at Pascal Siakam as well as guys like Kawhi Leonard, players that he could have the trajectory of.

(But) The Warriors do want to see how this plays out and they are keeping a keen eye on that fit between (Kuminga) and (head coach) Steve Kerr this upcoming season. And if he plays well, they want to pay him.

Of course, the Warriors aren't out of the Kuminga business by any means. They'll still own his signing rights after this season.

"Just because you don't get an extension done doesn't mean they're not going to be here for a long time," Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. told ESPN.

Charania says the Dubs "have seen statistics that measure his growth similarly to the early years of" those three aforementioned superstars, who all have a championship ring (in Kawhi's case, two of them) to show for their lofty status in the league.

Kuminga set career highs across the board in his third season last year, averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26 minutes per game. He also started 46 of his 74 games.

The Warriors did come to terms on an extension with another lottery pick, however, earlier in the day.