John Hollinger predicts the Atlanta Hawks will decline Jonathan Kuminga's $24.3 million team option. Here's why Atlanta should still try to keep him
Jonathan Kuminga's NBA career has not come easy.
The Atlanta Hawks forward was drafted with the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, one spot ahead of Franz Wagner and with Jalen Johnson, Alperen Sengun, and Trey Murphy III still on the board. The Warriors made a mistake, which happens, but the situation did not do Kuminga any favors. A team still chasing championships had little room to develop a raw prospect.
Golden State eventually moved on, sending Kuminga to Atlanta in a February trade that cost the Hawks Kristaps Porzingis. Now it looks like the Hawks may not keep him either. The Athletic's John Hollinger has predicted that Atlanta will decline Kuminga's $24.3 million team option this summer. Could that be a mistake?
Kuminga's Future With the Hawks Is in Peril
Start here: the Hawks can decline the option and still retain him.
Frankly, $24.3 million is steep relative to his production. Kuminga averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds with a 0.1 box plus-minus across his 16 games in Atlanta. That is fine, but at that price, the Hawks could find someone more productive.
The real question is whether they believe in his long-term potential. Kuminga is still just 23, yet he is entering his sixth NBA season, which makes it fair to wonder how much room he has left to grow. Declining the option, a call due by June 29, makes sense, and it could open up room to bring in a solid big man or a rotation guard. The more interesting question is whether the Hawks should offer Kuminga a longer-term deal at a lower number, which they should, at the right price.
Hawks Should Aim to Keep Kuminga
Of course, Kuminga and his representatives will look to protect his interests, and they will not want a below-market deal. Something in the neighborhood of $15 million a year should satisfy both sides. It is hard to know what Kuminga believes he is worth, but from the Hawks' perspective, that figure would be a sensible landing spot.
Assume Kuminga never improves. He is still a big wing with defensive utility who can create his own shot and finish pick-and-rolls, and he can carve out a role as is. If he does take a step forward, the deal could look like a steal in a couple of years. Major strides after five seasons are rare, but not unheard of. With so many capable wings already on the roster, keeping Kuminga is preferable rather than essential, and Atlanta should invest in his upside only if it can do so without denting its long-term cap outlook.
If they get it right, life might finally get a little easier for Kuminga.
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