Kuminga expresses strong desire for a long-term Hawks extension, seeing ample opportunity alongside emerging talent and a surging playoff contender.
Jonathan Kuminga has played only six games for the Atlanta Hawks. Based on what he's seen already, he sounds like someone who plans to be around much longer.
Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, Kuminga and the Hawks have developed mutual interest in declining the 2026-27 team option on his contract and instead working toward a long-term extension. Kuminga made his thinking clear this week.
"That's the goal," Kuminga said. "That's what we're trying to do here, what we're trying to stamp here as a group. We talk about it every day. It starts now. We're not waiting until next year."
Kuminga was stuck in a standoff with the Golden State Warriors before signing a two-year, $48.5 million deal as a restricted free agent. The deal involves a $24.3 million team option for next season. The Hawks traded for Kuminga before the midseason deadline, giving them a chance to evaluate how he fits before the offseason.
The Hawks were 28-31 before rattling off 11 consecutive wins, most by double digits, and climbed to eighth in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has a legitimate chance to land a playoff spot without having to compete in the play-in tournament.
Kuminga has played six games while managing a knee injury, averaging 14.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over that stretch and shooting 56.6 percent from the floor. His best game was on Feb. 24 against Washington when he dropped 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 3-of-4 from three. Over the full season across both stops, he's at 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 26 games.
Most recently, he dropped 16 on 7-of-11 shooting in Wednesday's 135-120 win at Dallas. It was his best performance since having two consecutive down performances following dealing with a knee injury.
The argument for Atlanta to lock him up long-term isn't complicated. Kuminga is 23. He never had a consistent role with the Warriors. In Atlanta, playing alongside Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Onyeka Okongwu on a team with real postseason ambitions, the runway is wide open.
Kuminga has done a little bit of everything for the Hawks. He's attacking the rim, holding his own defensively, and bringing a boost on the glass. Six games are a small sample, but the fit looks real, and he sees it the same way.