Why Hawks are parting ways with Jonathan Kuminga after Warriors trade originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Hawks traded for Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors earlier this year.
On Monday, though, they decided that they and Kuminga may not be able to continue their partnership.
It’s a quick split.
The Hawks declined their team option on Kuminga for the 2026-27 season, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Kuminga had come to the Hawks before the trade deadline with Buddy Hield for Kristaps Porzingis.
He played in 16 games for the Hawks to close out the regular season, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 22.1 minutes on average.
MORE: How Kristaps Porzingis move made LeBron James, AD trade harder for Warriors
Why aren’t the Hawks keeping Jonathan Kuminga?
The Hawks technically could bring Kuminga back on a new contract, but they weren’t going to keep him on the team option.
That’s because the option would’ve paid Kuminga $24.3 million in 2026-27.
Kuminga still feels like he has upside, but his contributions of late don’t suggest a player worth close to that money.
Reports have indicated the Bulls and Cavaliers both have interest in Kuminga.
By letting him go, the Hawks also create some solid cap space:
By declining the Jonathan Kuminga team option, Atlanta now has access to the full $15m non tax midlevel exception.
$27M below the tax
$35M below the first apron
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2026
If Kuminga does end up walking entirely out of Atlanta, the Hawks become the second team to give up on his potential.
