The Golden State Warriors have made it clear that they want to add depth to their roster this offseason, and both Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody will help them achieve this goal. Here’s a look at how the Warriors – who selected both Kuminga and Moody in the second round of the NBA Draft – plan to use them.
The Golden State Warriors have selected two players who figure to be long-term additions to the roster: point guard Jonathan Kuminga and power forward Moses Moody. But after taking Kuminga with the 50th pick in the draft, the Warriors have a lot of work to do. They are still searching for the kind of star that will attract a maximum free agent bid in July. (The Warriors have been linked to Kevin Durant recently.)
The Golden State Warriors have been a dominant force in the NBA for the better part of a decade, and as they get set to hit the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2014, it’s time to take a look at how they will look on paper for the 2018/19 season. Additions and subtractions
Steph Curry seems to remain a Golden State Warrior for life now that he has become the second player in NBA history to earn multiple $200 million contracts. However, he will be entering his 13th season in 2021-22 and, at 33, is nearing the end of his NBA career. He won’t be patient with inexperienced players, even if they’re good, which makes Golden State’s choices of Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, Nos. 7 and 14, in this year’s NBA draft, perplexing.
Kuminga has all of the physical attributes that an NBA club might want. He’s a player with unique promise at 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, with outstanding agility and glimpses of all-around skill. He is, however, 18 years old and very inexperienced.
Moody is a more experienced player, although he is just 19 years old and has only one year of college experience. It’s a strange mix of draft picks for a club with a core group of veterans poised to compete for another NBA title right now, especially when combined with last year’s No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman – another athletic and talented but young player.
While Kuminga and Moody grow, Golden State may rely on Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson to lead the Warriors.
After being selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jonathan Kuminga is interviewed. | Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
Despite his age, Curry was considered for MVP last season after averaging a career-high 32.0 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. According to Basketball-Reference, he shot 42.1 percent on 12.7 3-point attempts per game, a new career best. He kept Golden State in the Western Conference playoff race until the closing weeks of the season, despite the Warriors’ lack of Thompson and a weakened Green.
Kuminga, Moody, and Wiseman all have the athleticism to make an impact on the floor. Their basketball IQ will be the deciding factor. Golden State still has the ingredients to make a postseason run with another season of Curry domination, a healthy Thompson, and a more motivated Green.
Kuminga and Moody should be able to contribute as role players with Curry, Green, and Thompson in the best case scenario for this team as it presently stands.
Curry and Thompson will score in bunches and spread the floor, leaving plenty of space for other players to operate on offense. Green’s physical talents may be fading, but he remains the NBA’s sharpest defensive player, with the ability to assist on offense as well.
As a result, Kuminga, Moody, and Wiseman will be expected to accomplish much less than on previous teams. They may assist the Warriors’ three stars as rotation players as soon as this season if they can utilize their athletic abilities to play average defense, make cuts in the space Curry and Thompson will offer, and score the easy baskets that will surely be delivered to them.
Golden State could trade Kuminga, Moody, and Wiseman for a proven star to complement Curry, Green, and Thompson.
The Warriors attempted to swap their draft choices this week, but ultimately had to make them. What were their results? Marc Spears is able to persuade Perk to alter his opinion on this, as well as stating that Ben Simmons may end up at Golden State. pic.twitter.com/GqjxDoF5TR
30 July 2021 — Rachel Nichols (@Rachel Nichols)
As three young talents with apparently unlimited potential, Kuminga, Moody, and Wiseman would be interesting trade assets.
Ben Simmons is still on the market for the Philadelphia 76ers. There have been rumors that Damian Lillard is considering leaving the Portland Trail Blazers. Bradley Beal has said that he does not want to leave the Washington Wizards, but if he does, the Warriors have a ready-made offer for him. Who knows what other stars may be traded in the future. (Take, for example, Russell Westbrook.)
Golden State would be better served by using Kuminga, Moody, and Wiseman as trade chips. As the Warriors’ Hall of Fame triumvirate seeks to add more NBA titles before it’s too late, it may go all-in on another star.
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The Warriors Summer League roster is shaping up to be a collection of some of the team’s youngest and most intriguing players. Of the players on the roster, a few of them have shown some intriguing potential on the court, while others have shown to be underwhelming. Still, it is important to note that a lot of the players on the roster are not likely to be on the Warriors roster next year. Here is a quick look at the roster…. Read more about when was steph curry drafted and let us know what you think.
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