Jonathan Kuminga Becomes a Free Agent as Hawks Decline His Option

Key Points

• The Hawks declined Jonathan Kuminga's $24.3 million team option, making him a free agent.
• Kuminga joined Atlanta in a February trade from Golden State with Buddy Hield.
• He averaged 12.3 points in 16 regular-season games for the Hawks.
• The Sacramento Kings are expected to pursue him in free agency.

Jonathan Kuminga is a free agent. The Atlanta Hawks declined the 24-year-old forward's $24.3 million team option, ESPN's Shams Charania reported, sending him onto the open market as an unrestricted free agent.

Kuminga arrived in Atlanta in February, dealt from Golden State with Buddy Hield in the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors, ending a years-long standoff over his role in the Bay. He averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16 regular-season games for the Hawks, then scored 19 and 21 in Atlanta's two playoff wins over the Knicks.

Declining the team option is a calculated risk: it lets the Hawks pursue a longer deal at a lower annual number, but it also lets rivals bid. The Sacramento Kings had strong interest in Kuminga before the trade and are expected to circle back — the same Kings weighing a run at restricted free agent Jalen Duren. He enters a class already reshaped by LeBron James's exit from the Lakers.

Source: ESPN.