When the Warriors drafted Jonathan Kuminga during the 2021 NBA Draft, fans were ecstatic about the future's potential.

Experts had compared Kuminga to Jaylen Brown and OG Anunoby, with many calling him the best defender in his draft class.

With Kuminga opting to play with the G-League Ignite team instead of going to the traditional route to college, many believed that this helped prepare him better for the league due to the level of physicality at the G-League getting professional hands-on training from the best.

So far, the seventh overall pick has averaged 6.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field. Although his career-best came from the Dec. 18 game versus the Raptors, he's shown real flashes in a 25-point effort versus the Bulls.

The Bulls game gave Warriors fans a peek into the potential of Kuminga. He played outstanding defense by reading passing lanes and blocking shots while staying aggressive on offense. Although the game was over by the second half, Kuminga never settled and only attempted threes within the flow of the offense.

Kuminga has shown his potential, but it wasn't without struggle. In December, Kuminga averaged only 7.3 minutes per game, but as the injuries continued to pile up, his numbers saw a dramatic increase to 17.9.

This is a stark contrast to that of James Wiseman.

It was well known within the Warriors organization that CEO Joe Lacob was fond of the 7'3" center and pushed Head Coach Steve Kerr to start Wiseman.

While starting rookies isn't a rarity in the NBA, it might not have been the best decision. The team was looking to bounce back to their winning ways, and to start a rookie who had a shortened training camp was simply not the best move.

Wiseman was put in an unfair situation. It's not easy to learn on the fly, and his struggles affected the team as the Warriors found themselves in big holes to start the game.

Wiseman did have exciting flashes, though. His best game by far came from Jan. 27, 2021, when Wiseman put up 25 points on 9-for-14 shooting and nailed all three of his three-pointers.

Both lottery picks have essential roles to play in the present and future.

The Warriors currently lack center depth, and while they found much success playing the small-ball lineup, the Warriors need reliable centers to go against some of the bigger lineups in the league.

Wiseman will be needed as the Warriors make their championship run this season. However, after going through a rigorous rehab, Wiseman will be forced to keep things simple, contributing to his development.

Kuminga adds depth to the wing position, and his ability as a two-way player will be a top necessity. He should do well for his development by guarding the league's best players and putting up efficient numbers, but his motor and outside shooting are still a work in progress.

The Warriors have drafted based on necessity rather than hype, and it has been paying off. Both Wiseman and Kuminga will continue to grow, and it's only a matter of time before they're handed the keys to the kingdom.

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