Stephen Curry’s numbers show he performs better without Jonathan Kuminga, scapegoat issue might be true
The noise surrounding Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors is growing louder once again.
To be fair, Jonathan Kuminga began the season in strong form, sparking hope that he had finally evolved into the player the Warriors have long sought.
However, his performance subsequently dipped, leading to his demotion from the starting lineup, and he has recently been sidelined due to knee issues.
Amidst these developments, reports suggest Kuminga feels he is being scapegoated for the Golden State Warriors‘ inconsistent run, causing trade conversations to resurface.
Numbers show Golden State Warriors are the better team when Stephen Curry on the floor without Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors are currently in an all-in era, operating under the belief that this roster can contend for another championship with Stephen Curry at its center.
Consequently, the organization’s priority is to maximize the supporting cast around Curry to elevate the team’s ceiling.
However, a deeper dive into the statistics reveals that Kuminga does not appear to complement Curry on the court.
When Curry shares the floor with the young forward, the Warriors post a Net Rating of -1.00, compared to a robust +6.88 when Kuminga sits.
Furthermore, the Warriors shoot a significantly better percentage from three-point range when their two-time MVP operates without Kuminga on the floor.
🏀 Stephen Curry Team Impact: With vs. Without Jonathan Kuminga
*Data reflects on/off court statistics from the current season.
Jonathan Kuminga might not really fit into Steve Kerr‘s system and trade is the only solution
Long-standing concerns regarding Kuminga’s fit within Steve Kerr’s system appear to be becoming more obvious this season.
While the season is still young, Kuminga’s numbers through 13 games: 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 32.4% shooting from deep are not particularly promising.
Given these factors, the Warriors’ front office may need to start looking for a player who fits their system better to acquire in exchange for Kuminga.
If they truly intend to chase another championship, they need to be more competitive than what their current roster construction allows.