NBA free agency officially began on June 30. Some players took no time at all to sign their brand-new contracts.
For example, the Atlanta Hawks signed Jock Landale to a one-year, $14 million deal in the first few hours of free agency. However, this was certainly not the case with Jonathan Kuminga, as the forward still searches for a deal before the 2026-27 campaign.
Kuminga played a key role for the Hawks last season after coming over from the Golden State Warriors. He served as the primary backup power forward behind Jalen Johnson. Atlanta has several big decisions to make this summer, as the roster sits at 17 players with 15 spots available. If Kuminga re-signs this summer, it could shake up Mouhamed Gueye's future with the team.
Jonathan Kuminga could put Mouhamed Gueye in a difficult spot
The Hawks picked up Gueye's $2.4 million team option on June 25. At the time, this looked like an easy decision because players like Gueye, who have great proven defensive skill sets on team-friendly contracts, are not easy to find.
Even if the 23-year-old finds himself out of the rotation to start the season, he would provide great depth in case of injuries. However, he suffered an untimely injury, and if the Hawks bring back Kuminga, Gueye could become a cut candidate this summer.
Gueye suffered a fractured left foot during a summer workout and underwent surgery on July 14. Atlanta set his re-evaluation date at three to four months after the surgery.
An @emoryhealthcare injury update:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 15, 2026
During a workout on Wednesday, July 8, Mouhamed Gueye sustained a left foot injury. Following an MRI and evaluation, Gueye was diagnosed with a fractured left foot. He underwent surgery yesterday at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex to repair… pic.twitter.com/wYHKGdiMWR
This means Gueye could miss the start of the 2026-27 regular season. If the Hawks cannot find consolidation trades to get down to 15 players, they could release Gueye and only have to pay him $2.4 million.
Kuminga would likely slot right back into the power spot, should he re-sign. This pushes back Asa Newell, Zuby Ejiofor, and Gueye. Ejiofor brings similar defensive capabilities but can also put the ball on the floor and make quick passing reads better than Gueye.
The No. 23 pick in this year's draft can also maintain positioning down low against bigger guys. While Newell's defensive limitations pose issues, his offensive ceiling remains much higher than Gueye's.
Gueye's developments remains a surefire organizational success story
The Hawks found Gueye with the No. 39 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He went through their development system, starting with the College Park Skyhawks, where he sharpened his craft.
The 6-foot-11 forward played 33 games in his sophomore campaign, and that number jumped to 77 last season, where he changed games with his strong weakside rim protection and positional defensive versatility.
Gueye's injury put him in a difficult spot. However, even if the Hawks release him this summer, he gave them valuable minutes, especially considering his draft position. He would certainly find a deal elsewhere to continue his NBA career.
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