Trade Analysis: Jonathan Kuminga Released by Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga has been let go by the Golden State Warriors. They ultimately waited for the trade deadline, allowing his contract to lapse as they brought in a player with potential but some reliability concerns, trading away a disgruntled forward.
The Warriors made a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis in exchange for Kuminga and Buddy Hield. This is according to Shams Charania from ESPN. Kuminga had been surrounded by trade rumors throughout the summer, but now he’s got a fresh start ahead of him in Atlanta. Shortly after this transaction, the Warriors also traded Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors along with a 2026 second-round pick that was initially owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, as mentioned by Charania.
A lot of the talk leading up to the deadline revolved around the Warriors attempting to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. So, is all that discussion behind us? It might be time to analyze this trade from both sides.
Evaluating the Warriors’ Trade for Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis has had limited game time since last season with the Boston Celtics due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which causes rapid heart rate and dizziness.
This season, he’s played in only 18 out of Atlanta’s 58 games. When he does play, though, his advanced metrics show he performs exceptionally well. In fact, he’s 11th in the league for EPM. That’s quite impressive, especially considering he ranks in the 90th percentile in effectiveness on both ends of the court. Although he hasn’t had a significant impact in Atlanta, he has shown glimpses of his potential—if he can stay healthy.
However, it seems the advanced metrics might overstate his actual influence on games. Honestly, anyone who followed the Hawks this year would probably not put him anywhere near the top-10 players in the league. Still, at 7’3″, Porzingis brings unique skills; he can block shots and shoot 3-pointers at a high level for his position. His block rate this season stands at 4.8%, which places him in the 91st percentile among big men, and he’s shooting 36% from beyond the arc on nearly 10 attempts per 100 possessions.
He manages to do well primarily because he has a low turnover rate. Possessions matter—really! Over his career, he’s been known for this low turnover rate, but he’ll be entering a system that demands quick decision-making. Having never played in a system like Steve Kerr’s before, it may take him some time to adapt, assuming he can maintain his health.
On another note, Porzingis’ contract, valued at $30.7 million, was finalized over the summer, allowing Golden State to enhance its rotation without long-term risks. Could they have gotten anything better for Kuminga? Probably not, honestly. While Porzingis might not have a major impact due to health issues, he is still quite skilled, potentially providing much-needed support to the Warriors’ frontcourt.
Furthermore, the Warriors waived Buddy Hield’s last two years in this deal, which is a substantial win for them. Bringing in someone like Porzingis is just an added perk to that.
Evaluating the Hawks’ Acquisition of Jonathan Kuminga
Porzingis isn’t really in Atlanta’s long-term plans, and it was clear they’d be looking to trade him this season. Kuminga, on the other hand, is an intriguing addition—a physically talented forward who has struggled to find his footing until now. He didn’t gain enough trust from Steve Kerr due to decision-making, shooting, and defensive shortcomings, which meant he spent more time on the sidelines than on the court. A change was definitely needed, and Atlanta might just be the right place for him.
With Kuminga and Jalen Johnson, the Hawks could create a strong wing pairing if they continue pursuing their long-term strategy. The team’s future also hinges on whether they can leverage their pick from the New Orleans Pelicans that they secured in last year’s draft. It seems the Hawks are in a transitional phase after the Trae Young trade, making it hard to predict what their roster will look like next year. Currently, Kuminga will likely have opportunities to contribute as the team aims for a play-in tournament spot.
One surprising aspect of this deal is Atlanta’s willingness to take on the last two years of Buddy Hield’s contract, which amounts to $9.6 million next year and $10 million in 2027-28. That contract isn’t favorable, and I’m not sure Kuminga is worth that kind of commitment.
