After months of speculation, the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes have come to an end, with the Atlanta Hawks (25-27) claiming the grand prize. The third youngest team in the NBA just added a 23-year old surging slasher with supreme athleticism. It’ll be interesting to see how Head Coach Quin Snyder includes him in the rotation, making Jonathan’s versatility a massive bonus for Atlanta.
The skillset he’s honed the last five years in San Francisco is worth more than 12.1 points per game. Even with his struggles he’s remained a valuable member of Steve Kerr’s roster and Kuminga will have a similar impact on the Hawks.
The Congolese forward shoots 45% from the field and a moderate 32% from the three. Luckily, the Hawks acquired Buddy Hield in the deal as well, so Atlanta also added more three-point stability in this same package. Almost every member of the Hawks roster can shoot three-pointers regardless of position, but Jonathan is acclimated to a high-volume after playing in the Warriors’ system.
He’ll be expected to be a lob-threat and back door cutter for Hawks newly minted All-Star Jalen Johnson, who leads the roster with 8.0 assists per game. The pairing have the potential to combine their athletic playstyles to form an interesting tandem on the wing.
When motivated, Kuminga is certainly a high-flyer, so he’ll thrive in Atlanta, especially on the fastbreak. After playing 52 games, Johnson and the Hawks have climbed to No. 2 in pacing.
They also rank No.6 in fastbreak points (17.9), so all signs are pointing to a positive inclusion offensively. In terms of his defensive performance, Kuminga was an excellent defender during the 2021-22 season, but his efforts have dwindled in recent times.
Kuminga must take advantage of this new opportunity
It could be credited to the cloud of dread that was hanging over the Bay during the end of his Warriors’ tenure, but now he has a fresh start across the country in the Peach State.
Atlanta has fluctuated defensively all year, and the front office is hoping Kuminga will take them in a positive direction. They’re playing better basketball as of late, going 5-2 in their last seven games.
On paper, Jonathan has the potential to be a good defender in Atlanta, and his monstrous 7-foot wingspan will be an important tool for the Hawks moving forward. It’ll be a huge help for Johnson, who has faced criticism for his decline on defense as well.
Adding another body to back up the rising star will reduce the effort Jalen has to exert on defense. A huge part of their recent success has been their ability to switch, and Kuminga’s footwork will help him fit like a glove.
If he’s motivated, he has the opportunity to reach his full potential with this young core. We saw Dyson Daniels' emergence after riding the bench in New Orleans, and Snyder will certainly give Kuminga the minutes.