In the 2021 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors reportedly had strong interest in Australian guard Josh Giddey, whose unique playmaking skills and high basketball IQ had caught the attention of scouts and front offices across the league. Giddey’s size, vision, and versatility made him a potential fit for Golden State’s system, which values ball movement, floor spacing, and players who can operate in multiple roles.
However, the Warriors never got the chance to make that decision. The Oklahoma City Thunder, holding the sixth overall pick, selected Giddey earlier than many analysts had projected. The move surprised some draft experts, but Oklahoma City saw the 6-foot-8 guard as a cornerstone for their rebuilding plans.
With Giddey off the board, the Warriors shifted their focus to the best remaining option that fit their long-term and immediate needs. Holding the seventh overall pick, they selected Jonathan Kuminga, a highly athletic forward from the G League Ignite program. Kuminga was widely regarded as one of the most physically gifted players in the class, with the potential to develop into a dynamic two-way force.
The decision to draft Kuminga aligned with Golden State’s approach of balancing championship contention with developing young talent for the future. While Giddey has since gone on to establish himself as one of the league’s most promising young playmakers, Kuminga has shown flashes of star potential with his explosive scoring, defensive versatility, and improved consistency.
Both players have taken different developmental paths, but the 2021 draft night remains an intriguing “what if” scenario for Warriors fans. Had Giddey slipped past Oklahoma City, the Warriors’ roster—and perhaps their offensive style—might look very different today. Instead, the choice of Kuminga has given Golden State another athletic wing who could be a central piece of their next era once their veteran core transitions out of the spotlight.
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