Who is the Golden State Warriors No. 2 scorer?

At age 37, Stephen Curry remains one of the game’s elite No. 1 shot creators and scorers. If there were doubters, Curry shut them up during the Paris Olympics.

But who is the Warriors No. 2 scorer?

The Warriors don’t have one. For years it was Klay Thompson, but he’s in Dallas now (and he hasn’t been that guy for a few of years anyway). Draymond Green is still an elite defender and passing big man in the half-court, but he’s never been a No. 2 scoring option.

So who is going to take on that role? The Warriors have options, but every one of those comes with questions.

Let’s look at those options.

JONATHAN KUMINGA

Kuminga is the most likely person to fill that role, he was the Warriors third-leading scorer a season ago at 16.1 points a game, (behind Curry and Thompson). However, the 22-year-old entering his fourth season needs to take a big step forward to make that a reality.

That has to start with his shooting — last season Kuminga shot 62.1% inside 10 feet, and 30.8% outside that line. More than anything Kuminga needs to take and make more 3-pointers — he has averaged just 2.2 attempts a game each of the past two seasons, and last season he knocked down just 32.1% of those shots.

In the Warriors system (even modified some to better fit his skill set), Golden State needs Kuminga to space the floor as a shooter plus be more of a shot creator for others.

Kuminga also has to remain focused — he is eligible for a contract extension through Oct. 21, but the sides reportedly are not particularly close to getting a deal done. If it doesn’t come together before the season starts, Kuminga will be playing for his next contract all season long, and while that can be a motivation he can’t let it become a distraction.

Kuminga is at the front of the line, he will get a chance to be the Warriors No. 2 option. Will he grab it?

ANDREW WIGGINS

Golden State needs Wiggins to step up whether or not Kuminga does. Dreams of the Warriors returning to being one of the top teams in the West hinges in part on Wiggins returning to his 2022 form, particularly his playoff form for that season.

In 2022, Wiggins was an All-Star Starter and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/golden-state-warriors-no-2-170333646.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-02 17:03:33

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