Hawks make Jonathan Kuminga a free agent by declining $24.3m option

Jonathan Kuminga has become an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined the forward's $24.3 million team option for the 2026-27 NBA season.

According to Andscape, the decision comes just months after Kuminga joined Atlanta in a February trade from the Golden State Warriors.

The move ended a lengthy contract dispute with Golden State, with Kuminga and Buddy Hield being traded in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.

The 23-year-old appeared in 16 regular season games for the Hawks, averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game.

Kuminga made an impressive start to life in Atlanta, scoring 27 points on his debut against the Washington Wizards on 24 February.

However, he scored 20 or more points only twice more during the regular season while primarily coming off the bench.

He also showed some potential during the Hawks' first-round play-off series against the New York Knicks scoring 19 and 21 points in Atlanta's two victories as the Hawks briefly took a 2-1 series lead.

He managed 34 points across the final three defeats as Atlanta exited the play-offs.

According to Andscape, the Sacramento Kings were interested in acquiring Kuminga before his move to Atlanta and are expected to pursue the former seventh overall pick now that he has entered free agency.