History has a way of repeating itself. In the NBA, there are many examples of young players who sat behind established stars. But once their role shifted, their ceiling showed up. Teams that stuck through the awkward years often reap the awards. For the Golden State Warriors, the Jonathan Kuminga situation might end badly. They risk being the team that let the “one get away.” Change of scenery can sometimes benefit players, and often, the first team is left wondering, “How did we let this guy go?”
Today, we will look at five players who were in a similar situation and blossomed afterward. Now, it is not a guarantee that Kuminga will turn out good. But for the Warriors, the potential risk is there.
We’ve Seen the Kuminga Mistake, and It Could Cost the Warriors
The Warriors and Kuminga are in a complicated situation. Because he is a restricted free agent, he can only get an offer from a team with cap space. Only the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons can offer that, and neither are interested. The Warriors gave Kuminga a qualifying offer, but he has yet to accept it. If he accepts it on the last possible day, October 1st, the Warriors cannot trade him and he will become a free agent in the summer.
With that in mind, the Warriors cannot afford to make a mistake with Kuminga by losing him for nothing and seeing him flourish on another team. These five players showed that when given a clear role, they can make an impact.
Victor Oladipo
Victor Oladipo was a secondary or tertiary guard on the first two teams he played for. Drafted by the Orlando Magic and then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, he found his role on the third team. Once he made it to the Indiana Pacers, Oladipo was named the Most Improved Player (2018) and made the All-Star team twice (2018, 2019). He was a decent to average player on his previous two teams, but in Indiana, he truly blossomed. He never led a team to the Finals or anything like that, but his talent showed. Kuminga might experience a similar situation.
Aaron Gordon
Another Orlando Magic miscast. Aaron Gordon was drafted by the Magic and thrust into a No. 1 option in Orlando, but he could never get to that level. After seven years in Orlando, he was traded to the Denver Nuggets. There, he found a role perfectly suited for him and was one of the most important players on a championship team. Kuminga is not the No.1 option in Golden State, but he is also a player without a defined role. On a team where he knows his role, he might be a valuable and impactful player, just like Gordon in Denver.
Ben Wallace
Drafted by the Washington Bullets (now Wizards), Ben Wallace was initially considered a tweener without a defined role. He spent three years in Washington and one in Orlando before a team found the perfect way to use him. In Detroit, the Pistons built a defense around his strengths. There, he became a four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and one of the best defenders in NBA history.
Hedo Turkoglu
Hedo Turkoglu might be the best example similar to Jonathan Kuminga. He was a spot-up wing in his first two stops, playing for the Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs. When he made it to Orlando, he found a role as a point-forward. He was the Most Improved Player in 2008 and became the engine of a Finals team. Kuminga might not be suited to be a point-forward, but he is also a wing without a clear role.
Spencer Dinwiddie
During his first two seasons in Detroit, Spencer Dinwiddie played in only 44 games. He spent most of his time in the G-League, where he showed flashes. But, for some reason, the Pistons never gave him a real chance to show his worth. In his first season with the Brooklyn Nets, Dinwiddie was still not getting enough minutes and played for their G-League team. But from there, he continued to improve, eventually becoming a 20-point-per-game scorer in his fourth season with the Nets.
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