Golden State Warriors warned over making the same mistake that Toronto Raptors made with Tracy McGrady.
With the Golden State Warriors getting eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs, it has become abundantly clear that the franchise needs to end their double-timeline experiment.
The trio of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler are all in their 30s. Sure, Curry and Butler are still elite players, but the same cannot be said for Green.
On the other hand, the Dubs have a talented young man in Jonathan Kuminga, but his development has been hindered due to this ongoing experiment.
Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty ImagesWarriors need to ‘bet on’ Jonathan Kuminga
Former NBA player Keyon Dooling wants the Dubs to completely trust Kuminga following a rocky 2024-25 season.
Despite Kuminga barely having any clarity over his role under coach Steve Kerr, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for the team.
As a result, Dooling urged the Warriors to ‘bet on the young boy’ rather than dragging their current core of stars.
“Bet on the young boy. Instead of doing a sign-and-trade with Kuminga, you will find more minutes for him if Draymond is not on that team.
“You will change the way that you play, scoring is something that they need, and this guy averaged 14, 15 points in limited minutes. When he gets an opportunity he can score the basketball,” Dooling added.
Green has been on the Warriors for 13 years and has played a crucial role in the team’s four championship runs during this tenure. But it’s obvious that he has served his purpose on the team.
“When Draymond is on that team it takes a different identity. With Steph getting older, with Jimmy getting older, I think you bet on the young guys, you can’t just draft talent like that,” he added.
Dooling makes Tracy McGrady comparison for Jonathan Kuminga
Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady was one of the most prolific scorers in the league during the prime of his career. T-Mac’s best years came as a member of the Orlando Magic, one season after the Toronto Raptors parted ways with him.
Dooling fears the Warriors are going to make the same mistake with Kuminga unless they give Green’s minutes to the young star.
“It doesn’t come up every day in the draft. They developed the talent, they cultivated the talent, and I think right now, if you trade him, he’ll be like Tracy McGrady was when he got traded from the Raptors.
“He’ll be on the cusp if not an All-Star, he’ll be a very talented lead scorer in the NBA type guy. He’s that talented,” Dooling concluded.
Kuminga’s future is likely expected to be decided in the summer of 2025. Even Green knows how talented his teammate is as he believes Kuminga will earn big bucks regardless of where he plays.