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Hawks rumors: Why Insider believes Jonathan Kuminga will return to Atlanta
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- Hawks rumors: Why Insider believes Jonathan Kuminga will return to Atlanta
Hawks rumors: Why Insider believes Jonathan Kuminga will return to Atlanta appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
With fans wondering what the Atlanta Hawks ' future looks like after losing to the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs in six games, one player whose status remains unknown is forward Jonathan Kuminga . As the Hawks experienced an embarrassing end to the playoff series against the Knicks , the team looks to get better next season, as Kuminga is likely back, according to this NBA insider.
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In Friday's latest piece by ClutchPoints' NBA insider Brett Siegel, he reports the latest on teams that have gone through playoff flops like Atlanta. Siegel would mention how there are questions around the forward depth on the team, such as Kuminga, with the Hawks about to decide on his $24.3 million team option.
However, Siegel says "there really isn't a reason" for Atlanta not to opt in since it'll be the final year of his contract, and besides developing the 23-year-old, he could also be a valuable trade piece.
"By picking up the final year of his deal, the Hawks can not only continue to develop Kuminga, but he could also wind up being the key piece to an in-season trade during the 2026-27 season since he will be an expiring salary," Siegel wrote on Friday.
How the Hawks will operate this offseason
The drawn-out saga between Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors finally ended for him when the team traded the forward to the Hawks, which included Kristaps Porzingis going to Golden State. With Atlanta, Kuminga averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.
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Siegel reports that if Atlanta is looking for upgrades, it'll be like how the Toronto Raptors have done it, where "they will be selective on the trade market and not force any action."
Consequently to the situation, Siegel would even say that the Hawks won't be a team that will be in the running for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo .
At any rate, it remains to be seen what happens with Atlanta and Kuminga as the team looks to improve after finishing with a 46-36 record, putting them sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Related: How Nickeil Alexander-Walker embraced evolving leadership role in Atlanta
