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Hawks Decline Kuminga’s $24.3M Option, Kings Eye Him

6/30/2026

48 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kuminga Free Agency

The Atlanta Hawks declined forward Jonathan Kuminga’s $24.3 million option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Kuminga, who will turn 24 before the next season, entered free agency for the first time.
He appeared in 16 games, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes while shooting 47.6 %.
The Sacramento Kings are expected to pursue Kuminga this summer, according to reporter Marc J. Spears.

Summary

Kuminga Trade

The February trade sent forward Jonathan Kuminga to Atlanta and moved center Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors.
The Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million option but retained his Non-Bird rights.
Those Non-Bird rights allow Atlanta to renegotiate a new contract with Kuminga.
Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, re-signed with Golden State last summer before demanding a trade in January.

Summary

Kuminga Defensive Boost

Kuminga lowered the Hawks’ playoff defensive rating from 127 to 115.9 and posted a +17.1 plus-minus in 297 minutes.
Atlanta will use the non-tax mid-level exception (~$15 million) to sign a forward and stay $27 million under the tax apron.
The front office plans to re-sign CJ McCollum, add Aaron Wiggins and Devin Carter, draft Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar, and maximize Jalen Johnson’s prime years after the Trae Young trade.

History

Historical Context

After the 161-day 2011 NBA lockout ended on December 8, the new CBA cut the salary cap to $58.5 million and created a $15 million non-tax mid-level exception. Owners and the NBPA, led by commissioner David Stern and president Derek Fisher, used that flexibility to keep teams like the Atlanta Hawks $27 million under the tax apron, a strategy echoed in today’s decision to decline Jonathan Kuminga’s $24.3 million option.

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Kuminga Free Agency

The Atlanta Hawks declined forward Jonathan Kuminga’s $24.3 million option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Kuminga, who will turn 24 before the next season, entered free agency for the first time.
He appeared in 16 games, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes while shooting 47.6 %.
The Sacramento Kings are expected to pursue Kuminga this summer, according to reporter Marc J. Spears.

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