Warriors’ roster moves display development plan for Kuminga, Moody
Golden State's pair of rookie lottery picks scored 16 points each in a G
League exhibition, then were activated for Wednesday night's game
against the Charlotte Hornets
>SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 6: Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan
Kuminga (00) takes a shot against Denver Nuggets’ Jeff Green (32) in the
fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
>SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 6: Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan
Kuminga (00) takes a shot against Denver Nuggets’ Jeff Green (32) in the
fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
By EVAN WEBECK | ewebeck@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: November 3, 2021 at 6:07 p.m. | UPDATED: November 4, 2021 at
3:07 a.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/11/03/warriors-roster-moves-display-development-plan-for-kuminga-moody/

SAN FRANCISCO — At the not-yet-ripe age of 19, Jonathan Kuminga can
already say he’s conquered a former team.

A couple days after making his NBA debut, Kuminga was back in blue and
gold at Chase Center on Wednesday, only he suited up for the G League
Santa Cruz Warriors. With 16 points, Kuminga helped Santa Cruz to a
110-88 exhibition win over the G League Ignite, the Walnut Creek-based
club designed to develop young talent before the NBA draft.

The two Bay Area developmental league teams hosted a closed-door
exhibition at Chase Center before the NBA’s Warriors faced off against
the Charlotte Hornets. Golden State coach Steve Kerr was able to observe
his young lottery picks in starring roles for a half, before he had to
go prepare for that night’s game.

“I was really pleased that both guys got minutes and got reps,” Kerr
said. “Such a big part of their development is just reps and getting to
play.”

Kuminga, an inaugural member of the Ignite last season, successfully
used the new format as a launching pad to the No. 7 overall selection in
the NBA draft. His teammate, Jalen Green, went second overall. Jaden
Hardy and Michael Foster Jr. are expected to follow in their footsteps
as first-round picks on this year’s team.

Kuminga will get a different perspective on the G League this season as
he shuttles back and forth between Santa Cruz and San Francisco, along
with Moses Moody, as part of the Warriors’ plan to “chase wins” at the
NBA level while developing their young core.

Moody, who was also assigned to Santa Cruz before Wednesday’s scrimmage,
joined Kuminga with 16 points in Santa Cruz’s final tuneup before the G
League schedule gets under way. Moody also grabbed seven boards and
blocked three shots in 32 minutes; he’s averaging 16.5 points, 4.5
rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 steals in two G League exhibitions.

For Kuminga, who missed three weeks during the preseason with a strained
right knee, the extra time on the court is especially crucial. His 16
points came on 80% shooting from the field and added four rebounds, two
assists and two blocks in 30 minutes.

“We just need to keep giving him as many reps as possible and let him
develop and help him along the way,” Kerr said. “Moses is obviously in a
different place because he didn’t miss any time, so he’s further along
and more comfortable in his role and how to play at this level.”

Both players were activated later Wednesday evening and eligible to play
against the Hornets, the 58th time in history a player has appeared in
contests for his G- (or D-) League and NBA teams in the same day.

Expect to see both lottery picks, and possibly James Wiseman, get their
time in the spotlight under the much dimmer bulbs of the G League,
without being relied upon heavily at the NBA level.

>RELATED ARTICLES
The Warriors are developing a defensive identity
Warriors 3 Things: Son of a Glove Gary Payton II jumpstarts Warriors’
best defensive performance of the season
Warriors improve to 6-1 as Steph, LaMelo step aside for Jordan Poole
Warriors look to prove moving on from Kelly Oubre was right call
Klay Thompson’s return is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for Golden
State Warriors

It’s part of the growing connection between Golden State and its G
League affiliate.

The Warriors’ G League team also now uses the same terminology in their
play calls as they do at the NBA level. The Sea Dubs’ coach for the past
three seasons, Kris Weems, moved this year into a player development
role with the organization.

“I think about how far this franchise has come in terms of the
connection with Santa Cruz, even since I’ve been here. We’ve developed
players, coaches, training staff. There’s been a pipeline that’s come
through Santa Cruz,” Kerr said. “We’ve had a lot of players who’ve
benefitted, and I think we’ve gotten better and better of making that
connection really strong.”

--
Evan Webeck | Reporter
Evan Webeck covers high-school sports on the field and beyond — and a
little bit of everything else — for the Bay Area News Group. A Pacific
Northwest native and graduate of Arizona State, Evan has previously
worked for The Seattle Times, MLB.com and Sports Illustrated.