Drafting Jonathan Kuminga with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft appeared to signal that the Warriors were focusing on the future more than the present. Kuminga has a world of talent, but the 18-year-old is expected to be somewhat of a project in Year 1.
Steph Curry told The Athletic's Marcus Thompson that he loved the pick of Kuminga and Moses Moody at No. 14, and sees both rookies as part of the Warriors' win-now vibe. Following his Warriors debut in Summer League on Wednesday, Kuminga told reporters he already has been in contact with Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson and the message was clear.
"I spoke to Draymond a couple times," Kuminga said. "Steph texted me when I got drafted, I saw Klay two days before I left San Francisco. I've been in touch with those guys. It's been cool. They've just been congratulating me, and tell me they love to have me here, and just right when we get back for training camp let's get to work."
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SIGN UP HERE Kuminga was solid in his Summer League debut, scoring 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field.
RELATED: Kuminga, Moody could help Warriors sooner than expected
After drafting Kuminga and Moody, the Warriors went hunting for veterans in free agency.
They signed Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, but lost out on Nicolas Batum and Patty Mills. Golden State traded Eric Paschall to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, opening up a roster spot which perhaps could be used to sign Andre Iguodala should the 2015 NBA Finals MVP be interested in a reunion.
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Unlike last season when the Warriors had to throw James Wiseman into the deep end, Golden State isn't banking on constant contributions from Kuminga or Moody in Year 1.
But the championship core knows that if the talented rookies can come along quicker than expected, their title chances will look even brighter.