How does Jimmy Butler’s arrival affect Jonathan Kuminga’s future with Warriors?

Chicago – The differences between Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins have been exhibited in Butler’s first two matches with the Golden State Warriors. Butler, a two-way terror, brings a level of offensive power and edge pressure that has reduced Stephen Curry’s burden weeks before his 37th birthday. That was the point of trade.

“Each possession doesn’t feel so hard,” Said Curry.

But there is another significant difference between Wiggins and Butler: their contracts. Wiggins earn $ 28.2 million next season. Butler will, as part of an extension to end the agreement, earn $ 54.1 million next season and $ 56.8 million as follows.

It has messed Warriors’ books five months before Jonathan Kuminga enters limited free agency. Warriors already have $ 139.6 million committed to Curry, Daymond Green and Butler. The guarantees of Moses Moody and Buddy Held adjoin them up to $ 160 million for five players.

In a recent conversation with the Golden State owner Joe Lacob, The athletic On the question of Butler’s addition, Kuminga’s future would complicate.

“Why?” Said Lacob.

Because Butler’s salary next season is $ 25.9 million more than Wiggins was scheduled to make.

“Yes,” Lacob said. “So?”

So Lacob and Warriors are still obliged to pay what it takes to keep Kuminga, who will enter a thin market as perhaps the most exciting wing target?

“Absolutely,” Lacob said. “Hundred percent. Do you fool me? I love that guy. We love him. “

Then, without directly mentioning the team’s recent persecution of Kevin Durant, Lacob referred the idea that Kuminga may have been necessary to acquire him. Kuminga, prepared No. 7 in 2021, has long been a Lacob favorite and mostly protected in trade negotiations.

“Everyone can be traded,” Lacob said. “Someone. Well, almost anyone. But we would never do it unless it was something incredibly important. Incredibly important. I think players understand it.”

Some factors work in Warriors’ direction. As the new TV money is added to the league, the salary hood continues to Rocket. The projected luxury tax line next season is $ 187.9 million. The projected first-UPRON line is $ 195.9 million. The projected second-Upron line is $ 207.8 million.

Given what Warriors have already committed to three players in their mid -30s, they again seem to fly past the luxury tax line. They are locked at the first apron this season, but will be unlocked from this restriction this summer. They have indicated a desire to remain under the second apron. So to pay Kuminga and fill in the schedule, it feels like cap: $ 207.8 million.

Kuminga’s side will certainly enter the discussions that ask for his maximum but it must be put into the correct perspective. His Max – the maximum leaving a rookie deal – is significantly lower than a player like Currys or Butler’s. His maximum starting salary next season is projected at $ 38.6 million.

This is essentially the number that Toronto Raptors just gave Brandon Ingram ($ 38.1 million next season), and Denver Nuggets will give Michael Porter Jr. ($ 38.3 million). So that is the range of Max that Kuminga will search.

Could he find out on the open market? There is not plenty of available cap space, but there are also not many appealing free agents. Almost everyone extends these days before their contract runs out. Search for a list of free agent wings; It’s pretty gloomy.

Will Warriors be willing to get Kuminga up to $ 30 million a year or near his maximum? Every extra million will be a little tighter considering what they have committed, but there will be room to fit him into the picture if they prioritize it. The bigger question is whether they see Curry, Green, Butler and Kuminga as a long-lasting four-man fit.

Kuminga is back to perform individual work after a bad ankle sprain in early January. He is expected to practice with the team when it returns from the All-Star break and probably turns a few games after.

“I’ve been a little angry that it takes so long,” Kuminga said after a recent training in Chicago. “But they say it was a bad sprain and not easy to return. I will come back soon. “

Kuminga nodded in the approval of Butler after his recent debut in Chicago: “I like that guy,” he said. Butler’s attack style is especially appealing to Kuminga because of its resemblance to his own. Butler is a wing of power that succeeds with constant force at the edge and a decent enough jumper to occasionally keep defenders honest.

His shot diet – more than half of his attempts near the limited area, a few midrangers and approx. Two 3s per Fight – is something that seems to fit Kuminga at its best.

“It’s great for us,” Kuminga said. “I think it’s actually good for me to be around him and try to pick up some of the things he does. I feel like seeing myself as having a similar type of game. “

Kuminga, butler and green on the field will together generate some questions about distance. Warriors coach Steve Kerr has maintained that it is about the combinations and there will be an experimental phase to find out what works. Provided Curry is also on the floor, Warriors could put Quinten Post as the fifth player in a larger look or help, moody or brandin podziemski as the fifth in smaller iterations.

But Butler’s versatile skill set has already been exhibited. It’s not hard to see these two clips – one with butler who screens in the short roll and one with him flashing to the ball – and seeing how his secondary playmaking could get Kuminga, out of the Dunker spot, some light at the edge.

Kuminga has only made five of his 28 pull-up 3s this season, but he is a respectable 34 of 84 on the catch-and-shoot 3s (40.5 percent). More than ever, it is required with butler in the fold that collapses defense.

This new look could also put more responsibility on Kuminga’s individual defense. Wiggins often guarded the opponent’s best scoring guard or wing. Like Green, Butler can handle some tougher tasks, but both are usually best as off-ball disturbed. Can Kuminga make a leap like a point-of-attack defender with these two devastating destruction behind him?

The answers will arrive soon, which will dictate what this list looks past the summer.

“I expect us to spend a lot of time together,” Butler said of Kuminga. “I want to think I want to make his job much easier and he wants to make my job easier too. He is another person they will have to protect, they will have to be aware of. Then in defense, you got another offer, unote ‘MFER’ that can change that can challenge shots that can get out into the open floor. “

(Photo by Jonathan Kuminga: Logan Riely / NBAE via Getty Images)