New year, new contract, new number for Jonathan Kuminga. No longer sporting the “00” on his back, the Golden State Warriors forward has decided that even if he’s not going to be a No. 1 option, he can
look like one.
Kuminga downplayed the greater significance of going from “00” to “1,” which was his old high school number, merely saying he was looking for “a new start.”
The newly-signed forward wore a single zero when he played for G League Ignite in 2020-21, but when he got to the Warriors, many of his preferred numbers were occupied. His single-zero was being work by Gary Payton II and No. 1 belonged to Damion Lee, AKA the “Splash Brother-In-Law.” Payton left in free agency in 2022 after Kuminga’s rookie year, but Donte Divincenzo arrived and chose No. 0 and JaMychal Green grabbed No. 1. Payton was back my the trade deadline, wearing No. 8 for the remainder of 2022-23 and then going back to No. 0 the next season, while Cory Joseph became the new No. 1. Last season, No. 1 belonged to Kyle “Slo Mo” Anderson.
So while it sounds dramatic, especially after a contentious, summer-long negotiation of his new contract, Kuminga may just be getting the number he’s always wanted.
Kuminga joins an illustrious history of number-one Warriors which includes:
Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history, who spent two seasons with the Warriors as they went 40-92, mostly backing up Bimbo Coles.
Manute Bol, the tallest player in NBA history, who spent two seasons with the Warriors from 1988-1990,
Stephen Jackson, a key member of the We Believe Warriors and the Malice In The Palace Indiana Pacers, as well as an NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs.
Troy Murphy, a man both ahead of and behind his time as a slow-moving, three-point-shooting power forward. Traded for Stack Jack!
JaVale McGee, a crucial center on the title teams of 2017 and 2018 and an invaluable presence as the fourth member of the plane card games between Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green. He’s still playing in Australia next season and is one of very few people who have an Olympic gold medal and a Grammy nomination for Justin Bieber song.
Ognjen Kuzmic, the Serbian center who won titles in the NBA and the G League in 2015.
Jason Thompson, a long-time Sacramento Kings forward who Don Nelson notably “tricked” the Kings into drafting ahead of Anthony Randolph in 2008.
Gus Williams, a future All-Star and NBA champion who played the first two seasons of his career with the Warriors, who let him go as a free agent.
Perhaps the latter is the best inspiration for Kuminga. A man disregarded by the team that developed him, in part because the Warriors had other players at his position, who later turned into a big star.
In less dramatic jersey number news, Seth Curry was unable to convince his brother to give up No. 30, a move that would have sent Fanatics into even more than their normal disarray, so he will be wearing his longtime backup choice, No. 31.
Dell Curry, the Splash Father, wore No. 30 for his entire NBA career. Seth has worn No. 30 whenever possible, with the exceptions being his time on the Philadelphia 76ers, where Furkan Korkmaz wore No. 30, and his year with the Portland Trail Blazers, who have retired No. 30 twice, once for Terry Porter and once for Bob Gross, who is one of eight members of Portland’s 1977 title team to have his number retired by the team.
Is that excessive? Not really. There’s 101 possible numbers. NBA teams should be retiring more of them, especially when it involves one that’s already been taken out of circulation.
Plus, it’s helpful for Blazers fans. Whenever Steph Curry is torching their team in the Moda Center, fans can look up to the rafters and see “No. 30? Gross.”
