The Jonathan Kuminga saga has been one of the longest-running storylines of the Atlanta Hawks' offseason, but there may finally be some clarity regarding his future.
After weeks of little movement surrounding the free-agent forward, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that Atlanta has essentially moved on from the possibility of bringing Kuminga back.
Siegel specifically pointed toward the Hawks' offseason additions as the primary reason a reunion is no longer expected.
"The Atlanta Hawks were said to be open to bringing Kuminga back on a minimum deal, but that ship has sailed since adding Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort in trades with the OKC Thunder," Siegel wrote.
It is difficult to argue with Atlanta's reasoning when looking at the current construction of the roster. Bringing Kuminga back would have been another major boost to the Hawks' depth, but adding Wiggins and Dort created an increasingly crowded wing rotation that already includes Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The writing was on the wall after Atlanta's offseason moves
There was a point this offseason when bringing Kuminga back appeared to be a realistic possibility. The Hawks reportedly maintained interest in a reunion even after declining his $24.3 million team option, and Kuminga had already demonstrated what he could provide after arriving from the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline.
However, Atlanta's subsequent moves gradually made that possibility harder to envision. Wiggins provides reliable shooting and versatile defense, while Dort brings elite perimeter defense, and both arrive with valuable championship experience from their time in Oklahoma City.
Adding Kuminga to that group would undoubtedly give Atlanta one of the deepest collections of wings in the Eastern Conference, but there are only so many minutes available. Snyder would have to find consistent roles for Kuminga, Dort, Wiggins, Daniels and Alexander-Walker while continuing to maximize Jalen Johnson as the centerpiece of the roster.
From that perspective, moving on from Kuminga is understandable even if it is somewhat disappointing. He provided an offensive dimension that several of Atlanta's other wings do not possess, particularly with his ability to attack the basket, create his own shot and use his athleticism against mismatches.
Still, roster construction is about more than collecting talented players. President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh has emphasized maintaining flexibility and building a roster in which the pieces complement each other, and committing additional money and minutes to an already crowded position may not fit that philosophy.
Atlanta can now focus on maximizing Kuminga's value
Moving on does not necessarily mean Atlanta should rush Kuminga out the door. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves have all remained connected to him, giving the Hawks potential avenues to find a sign-and-trade that provides meaningful value in return.
A sign-and-trade still appears to be the most realistic pathway because of the financial situations surrounding several of Kuminga's interested teams. That also gives Atlanta an important role in determining his destination rather than simply allowing another team to acquire him without receiving anything worthwhile in return.
The Hawks have already demonstrated that they will not accept a deal simply to resolve the situation. Previous talks with Los Angeles have failed to generate significant momentum, while Cleveland and Minnesota have yet to produce a reported framework compelling enough to bring the saga to an end.
Saleh's priority should remain finding the deal that benefits Atlanta the most. Whether that means acquiring another rotation player, adding draft capital or finding assets that could eventually be included in a larger trade, the Hawks have no reason to sacrifice value simply because Kuminga's free agency has dragged deep into the offseason.
There is always a possibility circumstances change and Atlanta circles back to Kuminga. NBA negotiations can shift quickly, and until he officially signs elsewhere, it would be premature to completely eliminate the Hawks from the equation.
However, Siegel's latest reporting provides the strongest indication yet that Atlanta is prepared to enter the 2026-27 season without Kuminga. After the additions of Dort and Wiggins, the Hawks appear comfortable with the wing depth they have assembled and can now concentrate on finding the best possible return for Kuminga.
For Hawks fans who hoped to see Kuminga return, that possibility appears increasingly unlikely unless something changes dramatically. The question is no longer whether he fits in Atlanta, but where he ultimately lands and whether Saleh can turn his departure into another asset that strengthens the Hawks' future.
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