Jonathan Kuminga is averaging 16.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in four games with the Atlanta Hawks while Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy admits he hasn't watched him play.
The NBA moves at such a rapid pace that a player who may appear overlooked at one point can suddenly become the center of attention the next. That shift seems to perfectly describe what is happening with Jonathan Kuminga since joining the Atlanta Hawks.
However, despite Kuminga's impressive start with his new team, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy seems too busy to witness his former player's rapid ascension.
The discussion surrounding Kuminga's situation began long before his trade. During Golden State's second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves last year, Kuminga stepped up and led the team in scoring in Stephen Curry's absence. Yet when the 2025-26 campaign began, he was once again given limited opportunities and minutes, as evidenced by his 20 appearances.
That reality fueled speculation that the Warriors were never fully invested in developing Kuminga into a star. And given how inexperienced players like Gui Santos were readily given better roles than Kuminga, the latter was only expected to force his way out of the team and prove his potential elsewhere.
Naturally, when Kuminga made a fresh start in Atlanta, he instantly gained admiration from all corners of the league. Through four games with the Hawks, he has averaged 16.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Meanwhile, Dunleavy's comments about not watching Kuminga's performances have only intensified speculations regarding how the Dubs never truly valued him.
“I haven’t watched anything yet. We’ve been really busy with stuff here in a myriad of different ways. I think with JK all along, I mean, the talent is there. This guy is a good basketball player when he plays the right way, when he does the right things. We wish him the best. I think he could do really well,” Dunleavy said as per The San Francisco Standard's Tim Kawakami. “He’s a talented player.”
With players like Kristaps Porziņģis and Curry dealing with injuries, and Jimmy Butler ruled out for the season, the Warriors have struggled to find consistent form. Despite that, the team moved on from Kuminga rather than exploring ways to utilize his talent within their rotation.
Now, as the Hawks continue to push past the .500 mark, Kuminga's arrival has clearly raised the team's ceiling and energized their lineup. And who knows, perhaps Dunleavy now recognizes the mistake his Warriors have made by letting such a talented youngster walk away.