Kuminga's arrival ignites Hawks' hopes for stronger rebounding and relentless rim pressure as they push for a .500 record.
Now that the dust has settled after the NBA trade deadline, the Atlanta Hawks understand what their roster will look like (for the most part) for the final two months of the season.
Amid the several moves, the biggest that happened this week for the Hawks include trading away Luke Kennard to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent, and trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
GM Onsi Saleh clearly feels as if this roster needed a lot of construction, and he did a lot of that over the last couple of days.
One source tells HawksRoundtable that Kuminga is viewed as a wing that will help with rebounding and rim pressure. Atlanta was motivated to improve, particularly in the wing at rebounding.
In 20 games this season, Jonathan Kuminga is averaging 12.1 points per game and 5.9 total rebounds.
Quin Snyder has also commented on the trade, saying "Kristaps wasn't as available as we thought he'd be."
Another notable trade was sending the Utah Jazz for center Jock Landale, who gives the Hawks more size in the wake of injuries and depth at the center position.
There are a lot of reactions going on across the NBA about all the trades that transpired. Some good, some bad, but for the Hawks, they will have to use these new additions as a spark to get back to .500.
Atlanta is 25-27, and takes on the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. The Hawks have four games until the All-Star break.
Kristaps has been deadling with various injuries, and ended up finish his Hawks tenure with a higher points per game ( 17.1 )average than games played (17) with the team.
Duop Reath, who was acquired for Vit Krejci earlier in the week, will be waived in the coming days.
The Buddy Hield addition adds more depth to the shooting guard position, and he will join a certified backup position group of Corey Kispert, CJ McCollum, and Gabe Vincent.