Jonathan Kuminga will finally get the fresh start he’s been seeking in the big leagues.
Following an up-and-down 4.5-year stint with the Golden State Warriors, they agreed to trade him and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, Kuminga received bad injury news less than four days after the blockbuster trade.
"Forward Jonathan Kuminga, who sustained a left knee bone bruise while playing for Golden State at Dallas on Jan. 22, will be re-evaluated following the All-Star break, and an update will be provided at that time,” the Hawks revealed.
Essentially, Kuminga won’t get an opportunity to compete with his new team right away, which is never ideal for a player who didn’t have the most pleasant experience with his first NBA team.
Although Kuminga signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract to remain with the Dubs last offseason, a split was inevitable. The former lottery pick didn’t seem to see eye to eye with Steve Kerr, and his erratic play and reduced role with the Warriors this year proved it.
Additionally, the Warriors comprehended that they had to complete at least one trade to give Stephen Curry more assistance, and Kuminga, who was the odd man out in Kerr’s rotation, was always going to be the franchise’s primary trade bait asset.
Once the 23-year-old is fully healthy, he should be prepared to hit the ground running in Atlanta.
More NBA: Lakers set to battle with Knicks, Heat for Bucks' $175 million star in offseason, per report