NBA Mock Draft: Orlando Magic make two surprise selections
By Jason Hirsch
12. San Antonio Spurs – Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite
Of all the players left on the board, no one has more star potential than Jonathan Kuminga, which makes him a perfect fit for the two great basketball minds running the Spurs coaching staff in Greg Popovich and Becky Hammon (assuming Hammon does not leave for a head coaching job).
Like a lot of players in this range of the draft, Kuminga has tools that scouts covet. Size, strength, athleticism, a high motor. The question is, will he be able to put these things together to become a better playmaker and scorer?
Kuminga’s splits in the 13 G-League games he played in were some of the worst that you’ll ever see from a lottery prospect. 46 percent from 2, 24 percent from 3, and 62 percent from the free-throw line.
Supposedly, Kuminga impressed general managers and scouts last week at a private pro day that he had, but shooting in an empty gym without any pressure is trivial compared to what you do in a competitive game.
Kuminga’s day one value is tough to project. He has shown flashes as an elite slasher, defender, and ball-handler, but it was all so inconsistent that you do not know how long it will take for him to put it all together if he ever does.
I’m not entirely sold on Kuminga ever figuring out how to be a consistent player on the offensive end of the floor, but if anyone can get the best out of Kuminga’s potential, it’s the Spurs.