Just before midnight on Wednesday, the Hawks completed a blockbuster trade that sends former All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
When on the court, Porzingis was a perfect fit in Atlanta, stretching the floor with his shooting from the center position and averaging 17.1 points in just 24.3 minutes per game. The Hawks looked like a legitimate contender when he was healthy, but that’s the issue. Porzingis has played in only 17 games, dealing with multiple nagging injuries and, most notably, POTS — a condition that can cause significant illness at any time, making it impossible to know when he’ll be available.
In return, the Hawks added a pair of wings in Kuminga and Hield. Kuminga has felt like he’s been on the outs with the Warriors for the last few years, as the two sides could never find common ground on an extension. That’s led to a number of DNPs this season, with Kuminga appearing in just 20 games, averaging 12.1 points on 45.4% shooting along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
The Hawks are hoping a change of scenery helps Kuminga return to the form he showed in the previous two seasons, when he looked like a rising star, averaging nearly 16 points per game on 50% shooting to go with 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
Kuminga’s contract also preserves Atlanta’s financial flexibility. He’s owed $24 million this season and has a $24.3 million club option for next season, making this a low-risk, high-reward move for Onsi Saleh and company, who should know Kuminga well given Saleh’s ties to the Warriors organization.
In Hield, the Hawks get another proven shooter who has averaged 14.6 points per game for his career while shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc. The former Oklahoma standout is owed $9 million this season and next, with a $10 million player option for 2027–28.
This is another move where the Hawks improved without giving up meaningful assets. Porzingis’ unavailability made him a difficult piece to rely on, and they’ve turned that into two players who can contribute right away, with Kuminga offering real upside.
We’ll see if Saleh has any more moves in store as the Hawks continue searching for frontcourt help, even after adding Jock Landale yesterday.
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Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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