According to a Monday ESPN report, the Atlanta Hawks have passed on their $23.4 million team option for forward Jonathan Kuminga, setting him free to enter the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his professional career.
Kuminga, 23, arrived in Atlanta on February 5th via a trade with Golden State. The Warriors received Kristaps Porzingis in return, while the Hawks also brought in Buddy Hield as part of the same deal.
During his time with Atlanta, Kuminga suited up for 16 games, making one start. He put up averages of 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. When the Hawks faced the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs — a series Atlanta ultimately lost to the eventual champions — Kuminga played in all six games, averaging 13.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Golden State originally selected Kuminga with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Over his five seasons with the Warriors, he averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and was part of a championship-winning roster during his rookie year. He had signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension with Golden State in September, but asked for a trade in January after his playing time began to shrink.
