Jonathan Kuminga's short but sweet tenure in Atlanta has come to an inevitable end.
After a long, drawn-out sign-and-trade rumor saga, Kuminga is headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves, shortly after Atlanta dealt away forward Zaccharie Risacher for the shorter, stouter Luguentz Dort.
With Atlanta seemingly shrinking - both in terms of roster size, and in terms of the literal height of the players they'll be trotting out onto the hardwood this fall - late first rounder Zuby Ejiofor may be thrust into the spotlight far sooner than he imagined on draft night.
Atlanta's depleted frontcourt is free real estate for Ejiofor to buy up
While typical rookie development (outside of a few outliers, typically towards the tip-top of the draft lottery) sees players enter the G-League, develop for a few months to a year or two, and eventually begin to bolster the rotation of their squad, Zuby Ejiofor may be in for a surprise.
After trading away Risacher and letting JK walk, Atlanta is looking disturbingly small in the frontcourt. It seems to be the direction the franchise is headed - after drafting Zuby, re-signing Jock Landale, and showing complete faith in starter Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta looks to be favoring the switchable, small-ball five, as opposed to the traditional big.
The additions of Kingston Flemings, Aaron Wiggins, and Lu Dort were no doubt savvy decisions to create a loaded backcourt, Atlanta seems to be lacking at the 4-5, especially after defensive sensation Mouhamed Gueye fractured his foot this summer, with a return projected after the new year.
The Hawks are now left with Okongwu, Jock Landale, sophomore Asa Newell, and rookies Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar to anchor the team.
Ejiofor's role could quickly expand with one injury
While Okongwu will still start and Landale will still back him up, expect Ejiofor and Newell to reliably fill in the frontcourt to the tune of 10 minutes a night.
In the event of an Okongwu, Landale, or even a Jalen Johnson injury early on this season, the 4-5 will be even more open for the taking for Ejiofor - at least, as long as Gueye remains sidelined with his fractured foot.
Given Zuby's sensational production in college with St. John's, as well as his NBA-ready frame (as proven by his dominant summer league), don't be surprised if Coach Snyder quickly sees the writing on the wall, and grants Ejiofor the minutes he's due.
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