Jonathan Kuminga, still at an impasse?

History seems to be repeating itself. In February 2026, Jonathan Kuminga left Golden State after months of tension around his role and playing time, in a three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors and brought the Congolese forward, accompanied by Buddy Hield, to Atlanta. Five months later, here we go again: the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option for the 2026-27 season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Kuminga, just 24 years old, once again finds himself searching for a team.

A mixed record in Atlanta

Kuminga's time with the Hawks lasted just 16 regular season games, with respectable averages of 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in just over 22 minutes per night. His debut made a strong impression: 27 points in his very first game against Washington, then another 20-point performance a few days later, enough to revive the debate about how Steve Kerr managed him in Golden State. But things became more inconsistent afterwards, with only two games of 20 points or more for the rest of the season, often coming off the bench.

The Hawks finished the season with 46 wins and 36 losses, securing their first playoff appearance under Quin Snyder, before being eliminated in the first round by the eventual champions, the New York Knicks. Kuminga delivered some notable performances in Games 2 and 3, contributing heavily to Atlanta's two hard-fought wins over New York, before fading into anonymity at the end of the series, finishing 5-of-24 from three-point range in the matchup.

Why Atlanta said no

The Hawks' decision not to pick up the option is only half a surprise. The franchise is already dealing with a payroll exceeding $153 million, and offloading Kuminga's salary offered a welcome bit of flexibility. On the sporting side, his stats ultimately changed little compared to his years at Golden State: nearly identical scoring averages and similarly efficient overall play, which has fueled both his supporters and critics regarding his true ceiling.

Another key factor: Atlanta's roster depth. With the arrival of Aaron Wiggins from Oklahoma City before the draft, followed by several young players picked up during it (Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, Henri Veesaar), the Hawks already have a pool of wing profiles that would make an expensive Kuminga return potentially redundant.

Where to now?

Several options are being discussed, though none have materialized yet:

• A return to Atlanta is not totally ruled out, provided it's on a smaller and shorter-term contract. The Hawks would, however, need to clear at least two roster spots to consider it.

• The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks have shown concrete interest. A sign-and-trade would probably be necessary in both cases, as Cleveland does not have any salary exceptions to use.

• The Los Angeles Lakers are also keeping a close eye on the situation, despite serious financial constraints after an offseason of spending (Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton).

• The Sacramento Kings, who have followed him for a long time, remain reported as contenders, but have very limited financial means.

• Franchises like the Chicago Bulls or the Brooklyn Nets have also been mentioned as possible destinations in a sign-and-trade, each having a salary piece or a player profile that could interest Atlanta in return.

The deal structure remains the big question. With no salary exceptions available for most suitors, a sign-and-trade appears to be the most realistic way for Kuminga to land a contract that meets his expectations while giving something back to the Hawks.

A player at a crossroads

After turning down an extension offer worth over $100 million in 2024, and then experiencing total movement restrictions last summer due to his restricted free agency status with Golden State, Kuminga now approaches the market as an unrestricted free agent, free to choose his destination with no team able to match an offer to keep him. It's a real change of status compared to previous offseasons, which were marked by uncertainty and dependence on the Warriors' goodwill.

It remains to be seen whether a third change of scenery in just over a year will finally allow Jonathan Kuminga to settle somewhere for good and show, over the long term, the potential he's only flashed in glimpses in San Francisco and then Atlanta.