The Golden State Warriors drafted Jonathan Kuminga using the 7th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Given that Jonathan Cuminga chose the lottery in the 2021 NBA Draft, it’s no surprise that he was expected to become a solid star in the league.
However, over the past four seasons, Cuminga has been little clear about his role under head coach Steve Kerr.
Things have gotten worse due to Kuminga’s ongoing saga with Kuminga’s ongoing saga over contract extensions. So, Warriors owner Jorakob had to be involved in it.
Kuminga has yet to get his full potential with the Warriors, but another pick from the same class has begun to make his name in the league.
He was nothing but Franz Wagner, the 8th overall pick of the Orlando Magic, who spent the 2024-25 breakout season. Wagner averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in Magic.
He’s doing well on his trajectory beyond Cuminga, but here’s what’s interesting. The Warriors may have drafted Wagner. In fact, it was Lacob who forced the front office to draft Kuminga.
“Racob was a central figure in Cuminga’s NBA career from the start. Bob Myers was the team president and Dunleavy’s assistant general manager when he drafted Cuminga in 2021.
“They gave a collective green light, but Lacob was the driving force behind the selection when others, including some of the coaching staff, expressed Franz Wagner’s preferences.
Lacob has backed up Kuminga in the past, but the Warriors owner appears to be rethinking his decision. After all, the dub shows he is reluctant to offer Kuminga a big extension.
Just like Wagner today, NBA fans of X support Lacob’s decision to draft Cuminga over the German forward.
“Curry would have just destroyed Wagner’s growth,” one fan wrote. Another ironic addition:
“So Franz is overrated. JK is better,” said the third fan.
“I would still drafted Kuminga, which was good value for the place he was chosen,” the fourth fan added.
“Kuminga is really good. Steve Kerr hates people who surpass Steph,” the fans blamed Kerr.
Most fans showed confidence in Kuminga’s abilities. They instead denounced Coach Kerr. Now, that’s an interesting outlook for the head coach who has won four NBA championships in the franchise.