“I like the role for him because he gives us something that we need, you know.” Steve Kerr responded honestly while discussing the decision to shift Jonathan Kuminga from a starting role to the bench earlier this season. The shift seems to have had a good effect on both the player and the team. By mid-November, Kuminga was the 9 highest bench scorer in the league. However, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green ‘OUT’ for the Warriors-Rockets matchup last night, it was up to the backup power forward to deliver. How he did so was enough for even Stephen Curry & his teammates to sing his praises amid rumors about a potential trade.

In the aftermath of the Warriors’ 99-93 win, Stephen Curry highlighted the final layup that Kuminga made to seal the game. Cheers erupted throughout the Chase Center as Kuminga scored a career-high 33 points. Recalling that moment, Curry wrote on X, “Take over then,” accompanied by a ‘raised hands’ emoji. Seems like no one is going to talk about trading Jonathan Kuminga now!

Trade, you ask? Yes well, several recent reports have linked the 22-year-old as part of a potential trade package before the Trade Deadline. From the Brooklyn Nets to the LA Clippers, several franchises have been proposed as the Kuminga’s potential new home. Rumors of the same started to swirl after extension talks with the power forward reached a dead-end.

Kuminga, who is currently on a 4-year, $24.85 million rookie deal, could have received at least a five-year extension. Reports suggested that he was looking for a $35 million/year deal. After all, Franz Wagner and Evan Mobley, two players from his draft class, received similar extensions.

If there was ever a moment when Jonathan Kuminga showed that he earned that extension, it was on Thursday! The young star’s 33-point barrage helped the Golden State Warriors finally end their 5-game losing streak. Even Steve Kerr had to admit to the potential that Kuminga holds. He stated, “I think it can absolutely be a weapon,” while discussing Kuminga as a scoring option late in games. As it turns out, the Warriors head coach and Stephen Curry weren’t the only ones praising the forward.

Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins praise Jonathan Kuminga: “Not just depending on Steph all the time”

Kevon Looney’s 11 rebounds and defense helped others carry the offensive load efficiently, including Jonathan Kuminga. The backup power forward scored 14 of his 33 points in the final quarter. This showed that he can certainly be the guy the Warriors can go to during certain moments. Looney certainly believes so.

“I think that he showed he can do it. I think that’s the next step forward for him,” said the 28-year-old Center. Looney stated that the team would not require Kuminga to score every night. However, if the recent matchup showed anything, it was that “He can score, he can get to the rim, and get to the foul line, when we need him to. So, I think that’s gonna be part of our evolution as a team — him and Wiggs stepping up to be able to score for us in the fourth quarter. Not just depending on Steph all the time.”

Discussing Jonathan Kuminga’s scoring outburst, Andrew Wiggins stated, “It was great, you know. JK is, you know, that’s what he can do. Knocking down 3-pointers, getting to the rim. The 3-pointers is a plus, you know, for him, but no one can stop him from getting to the rim. He’s too strong, too athletic, too quick, too versatile. He plays like that, he’s amazing. This is just the beginning for him.”

This may be the beginning of a fruitful string of performances from Jonathan Kuminga. The question, however, is whether he will continue doing so with the Warriors or not. This performance may finally convince the management to give Kuminga his extension.