The Atlanta Hawks acquired Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield in the Kristaps Porziņġis trade with the Warriors. Kuminga hasn't even played in a game for the team yet, but they already granted his wish of getting him out of the Bay.
He was in trade rumors for what felt like 10 years, but Golden State declined to move on from him. They hoped to use Kuminga in a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even if Milwaukee was serious about trading its superstar before the deadline, the Bucks may no longer have been interested in the forward. Steve Kerr tanked the little trade value he had by not playing him much this season.
As soon as Kuminga became eligible to be traded on Jan. 10, he requested one. Nine days later, it appeared that the Warriors could keep the forward, as Jimmy Butler tore his ACL. His injury led to Kuminga playing in his first game in over a month, which ended up being his second-to-last game in Golden State, as he suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended knee.
The injury is why Kuminga didn't play before the break, but the Hawks hope he'll be available to make his debut soon after, when Atlanta will re-evaluate him.
When he does suit up, it will be a special moment for him, as an opportunity with a new team is what he's been waiting for.
Jonathan Kuminga has chance to prove his worth with the Hawks
Anthony Slater of ESPN, who covers the Warriors, said on Friday's episode of the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast that he's heard Kuminga is "very happy" and "settling in" in Atlanta.
Slater published a piece earlier this week detailing Kuminga's and the Warriors' breakup. If you haven't read it yet, you need to. You will understand even more why the forward was so ready for a fresh start. He never truly got a fair shake in Golden State, as clearly, Kerr was never on board with the team's decision to draft the forward in the first place.
Slater and Shams Charania reported over the offseason during Kuminga's restricted free agency saga that he believes he can be a multi-time All-Star. That wasn't going to happen with the Warriors, so now that he's with the Hawks, he can start to prove who he can be as a player.
Atlanta GM Onsi Saleh said he looks at Kuminga as a power forward, not a small forward, giving some insight into how the Hawks could try to unlock his potential. Doing so would help mask one of his biggest weaknesses, as he's a career 33.1% three-point shooter.
Kuminga may want to spite the Warriors so much so that he could turn into the Hawks' version of Steph Curry. In all honesty, the way his time in Golden State should make him play with some added fire now that he's finally elsewhere.
The best part is that Atlanta didn't have to give up much to get him, as Porziņġis played only 17 games and was on an expiring contract (they do still have to think about Kuminga's future). Not only did Kuminga already win by receiving a trade, but the Hawks could, too, if the 23-year-old looks like a version of the player he thinks he can be.