The San Antonio Spurs have been linked to a trade with the Atlanta Hawks this offseason, finally giving Jonathan Kuminga what he wanted all along.
The San Antonio Spurs are expected to spend this offseason chasing a power forward or oversized wing to pair in the frontcourt with Victor Wembanyama. After OG Anunoby had the series of his life in the NBA Finals, the Spurs need someone who can match up against players of that archetype.
Names like PJ Washington, Yaxel Lendeborg, and John Collins have all been linked to the Spurs, and San Antonio has the cap space and trade assets to land any of those players. In free agency, with Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk off the books, the Spurs could make a splash.
If they plan on trading De'Aaron Fox, they could end up finally giving Jonathan Kuminga what he always wanted.
Spurs Could Appease Jonathan Kuminga
Ever since his days with the Golden State Warriors, Kuminga has wanted to be a star. However, behind Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and even Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, he was relegated to a supporting role.
Last season, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. There, he remained a bench player, and might want to join his third team this summer.
Kuminga will be a restricted free agent, but if he re-signs with the Hawks, there's a path for him to end up on the Spurs. Atlanta is a playoff team, but it needs a point guard. With Dylan Harper buried on the depth chart, the Spurs could be incentivized to trade Fox this summer.
If the Spurs send Fox to the Hawks, it would make sense for Kuminga to be a part of the return. The Spurs need a physical wing who can rebound, and the Hawks already have Jalen Johnson, so Kuminga is expendable.
In San Antonio, Kuminga wouldn't be a star, but he would be a consistent starter next to Harper, Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell. In the event that the Spurs need shooting, Julian Champagnie could be elevated to the starting lineup, although Kumnga would be the everyday power forward.
He might not be a franchise centerpiece for the Spurs, but it would be a step in the right direction as he tries to establish himself as a top offensive option.
