Klay Thompson’s father, Mychal Thompson, called out Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for not using Los Angeles Lakers target Jonathan Kuminga well. Thompson, a former Lakers champion and broadcaster, believes his former coaches have wasted Kuminga’s talents as the 23-year-old remains unsigned in free agency.
Kuminga may very well have to settle for a team-friendly contract with the Lakers, with no substantial interest reported from other teams. On Tuesday, while appearing on ESPN Los Angeles radio, Thompson made compelling arguments on why the Lakers are the best spot for Kuminga. Shortly after, he addressed the question of why he’s received no offers despite his tremendous upside and his failed stints with Golden State and Atlanta.
“I don’t know, maybe his coaches don’t know how to coach him up,” Thompson said. “He’s got a lot of talent. He’s an incredible athlete. … He can knock down shots, he can get to the basket, he could run the floor with the best of them, he could jump out of the gym. … I would definitely take a chance on him and then coach him up.
“That’s the thing coaches make money for, so teach him how to play the game the right way. I think he’s a diamond in the rough, as they say.”
Kuminga had a tumultuous tenure with the Warriors under Steve Kerr, where he spent the majority of his career before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in February for Kristaps Porzingis. He averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in a Golden State jersey, while shooting 50.3% from the field and 33.1% from three-point range.
Kuminga craved for a significant role but never got one. He never adapted to the Warriors’ system as he believed he was a self-creator on offense, which doesn’t align with Kerr’s coaching principles. Kuminga kept falling out of favor with the franchise and had been the subject of trade rumors since 2024.
A switch to the Hawks didn’t help him much, either. Kuminga averaged 12.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 2.1 apg, shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range in 16 games for the Eastern Conference playoff contenders. However, the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Jonathan Kuminga could make less than 50% of his previous salary with the Lakers: Report
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly considering a two-year, $20 million offer for Jonathan Kuminga. It’s a little lower than 50% of the $23.8 million he earned last season.
“Jonathan Kuminga is a player the Lakers are after, according to people with knowledge of the situation who said L.A. is looking at a two-year, $20-million deal for Kuminga, the sort of athletic wing player the Lakers need to start at small forward,” LA Times’ Broderick Turner wrote on Tuesday.
The Lakers need wing depth after losing LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart in free agency. Kuminga would be a low-risk, high-reward signing at a $10 million annual contract. JJ Redick has extracted the best out of players as experienced as Kuminga during his coaching stint, so it won’t be surprising if the former Warriors lottery pick finally finds a suitable system and coach.
With a solid run, Kuminga can make a compelling case to make more money on a new deal next year if he impresses Redick and the Lakers’ brass.
Read more:
- “He Cooked Wemby While Injured?”: NBA Fans React as Jalen Brunson Undergoes Wrist Surgery After Knicks’ Title Run
- Donovan Mitchell’s Sister Drops 2-Word Reaction to His Massive 3 Million Contract Extension Ahead of Wedding
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
