{"id":828129,"date":"2026-09-04T22:12:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T22:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/828129\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T22:12:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T22:12:39","slug":"timberwolves-finalizing-kuminga-signing-officially-ends-short-lived-hawks-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/828129\/","title":{"rendered":"Timberwolves finalizing Kuminga signing officially ends short-lived Hawks era"},"content":{"rendered":"

The reported signing has finally gone through. Lasting the length of nearly the entire offseason, the Jonathan Kuminga saga is over.<\/a><\/p>\n

On Friday morning, over a week after the two-year deal was reported by all of the top basketball media outlets, Minnesota made it official. Kuminga is heading back out west where he’ll have a chance to contend for a championship with one of the league’s most fascinating squads.<\/p>\n

When Atlanta traded for him ahead of last season’s deadline, his future with the organization was immediately unclear. As they began their operations this summer, though, it quickly became apparent <\/a>what they planned to do with him.<\/p>\n

The Hawks replaced him while he was still on the market<\/p>\n

At the tail-end of last season, Kuminga provided Atlanta with an invaluable bench spark. His presence in the second unit allowed them to pick up two wins against the eventual-champion New York Knicks in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.<\/p>\n

While no longer having him, on paper, could hurt, they’ve made all the necessary adjustments in preparation for his departure.<\/p>\n

The first thing that hinted he wouldn’t be brought back was when the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option for the 2026-27 season – sending him to unrestricted free agency. Any team, at that point, could make their case to him and his camp.<\/p>\n

They also went out and acquired Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder – two forwards set to come off the bench for Atlanta’s electric starting five.<\/p>\n

If they brought back Kuminga, it would’ve given them the best bench in the NBA, but there would’ve been a real logjam<\/a> at the forward spot. With Asa Newell, Mo Gueye and Zuby Ejiofor all looking for minutes as well, it made more sense to just let him walk.<\/p>\n

Kuminga’s Hawks tenure should be celebrated, despite its length<\/p>\n

If anything, acquiring him at the deadline was a gamble worth taking. It laid the groundwork for what they needed in the second unit moving forward.<\/p>\n

They were able to get off of the expiring contract of Kristaps Porzingis – the veteran who was simply unable to stay healthy in a Hawks uniform. In exchange, they got an exciting young forward in Kuminga, who they gave a real shot to, and an invaluable veteran presence in Buddy Hield, who remains on the new-look roster.<\/p>\n

Onsi Saleh makes that deal ten times out of ten. His lack of hesitancy in the trade market has helped Atlanta seamlessly transition through eras.<\/p>\n

Hawks fans should wish Kuminga nothing but the best in his new destination.<\/p>\n

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