The Portland Trail Blazers are among the franchises that should be monitoring every stage of the Jonathan Kuminga saga. It's not that Portland should make a run at signing Kuminga, but instead that it would behoove the front office to learn from the Golden State Warriors' mistakes.
With the Warriors staring down a disastrous result via Kuminga's restricted free agency, the Trail Blazers must ensure they don't repeat the same misfires with Scoot Henderson.
Kuminga, 22, has been residing in restricted free agency for more than a month. He's received interest from teams such as the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, but thus far, nothing has materialized in regard to a new contract.
The Warriors, meanwhile, have made it public knowledge that they don't believe Kuminga fits with the current core—yet, they remain determined to complete an ideal sign-and-trade if he's to leave.
It's a polarizing period in franchise history that stems directly from four seasons of inconsistent playing time and all that contributed to it. Kuminga no longer feels as though his best path to the career he envisions for himself runs through the Warriors, and the franchise seems to agree.
Unfortunately, with Kuminga's playing history limited and his skill set picked apart by the very team that drafted him, the Warriors have their backs against the wall.
Portland must come to terms with the fact that it could find itself in the same position if it falis to provide Henderson with what Golden State wouldn't give Kuminga: Reliable minutes.
Portland must not go full Jonathan Kuminga with Scoot Henderson
Golden State attempted to build along two timelines in order to extend its championship window. On paper, it was a fascinating idea, as the Warriors brought in three lottery picks in a span of two years to develop alongside a core that has won four championships together.
Unfortunately, James Wiseman played just 60 games for Golden State, Moses Moody has yet to average more than 22.3 minutes per game, and Kuminga is headed toward a bitter farewell.
The Trail Blazers have already taken steps toward avoiding a similar fate by parting ways with Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons. They've also acquired Jrue Holiday and brought back Damian Lillard, however, which could create a potential logjam in the backcourt depending on health and length of tenure.
In order to avoid a Kuminga saga of its own, Portland must ensure that an influx of talent won't stand in Henderson's way as far as opportunities to learn by fire are concerned.
Henderson, much like Kuminga, needs to refine his jump shot and improve his decision-making. He averaged 1.8 fewer minutes per game in 2024-25 than he did in 2023-24, however, despite increasing his field goal, three-point field goal, and eFG percentages.
There's more to a player's growth than their statistics, of course, but the Trail Blazers need to allow Henderson to play through his mistakes rather than cutting his minutes because of them.
Portland has realistic dreams of making the 2026 NBA Playoffs, but the current core has the potential to set much higher standards for itself. The only way it'll be able to do so, however, is if it receives the opportunity to grow together before free agency and more lucrative contracts come into play.
Unless the Trail Blazers want to end up in the same position with Henderson as the Warriors are in with Kuminga, they'll need to empower him with steady minutes and a reliable role.