The Jonathan Kuminga situation is polarizing.

The Golden State Warriors’ forward, currently a restricted free agent, declined the team’s two-year, $45 million extension offer. Kuminga is reportedly unhappy with the Warriors, claiming that they have “stunted his growth” since joining the team as a first round pick in 2021.

The 6’8 forward has averaged 12.5 points, four rebounds, and 1.8 assists over the first four seasons in the NBA, but believes that he can do even more when given the opportunity. Coming into the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga was billed as an explosive scorer after spending a year with the G League Ignite. However, he has understandably taken a back seat with the Warriors who have been unsuccessfully trying to balance their “two timelines” approach in the years since Kevin Durant’s departure in 2019. 

For as long as Stephen Curry is still with Golden State, Kuminga is unlikely to be handed the keys to the team’s offense. From the Warriors’ perspective, this is more than understandable. 

The 37-year-old Curry has turned this franchise from the league’s laughing stock into its most recent dynasty. He has won four NBA championships with the team while winning two NBA Most Valuable Player awards along the way. Curry has made this team as relevant as it has ever been and it is almost impossible to imagine them prioritizing another player over him.

This does not mean that Kuminga’s grievances with the team are not justified. Some of his classmates from the 2021 NBA Draft have already emerged as NBA All Stars or have at least been given major roles on their respective teams. When given the opportunity, Kuminga has proven that he too can contribute at a high level, but these chances are never truly consistent with Golden State. 

During this past postseason, Kuminga shined in the Warriors’ second-round defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After Curry was injured in Game 1 of the series, Kuminga was thrust into a prime offensive role for Golden State and did not disappoint. He averaged 24.3 points per game over the last four games of the match-up, including a 30-point showing in their Game 3 loss.

In the right situation, Kuminga might actually be as good as he thinks he is. This is unlikely to materialize with the Warriors until Curry’s retirement though, making a trade the best way forward in this scenario. Two Western Conference rivals, the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, are reportedly interested, but Golden State is apparently driving a hard bargain in these talks.

Considering the talent and potential of Kuminga, a deal should materialize sooner rather than later. Wherever he ultimately suits up next season, he has shown enough flashes to prove that he can indeed become a deadly scorer in the NBA. If Golden State cannot provide him with this opportunity, another team will—and these recent weeks have proven that there are indeed others who are more than willing to take a bet on the former lottery pick.