The Sacramento Kings are in a perfect position to take swings on some young talent. And who better than a guy they have already had a storied interest in? None other than Jonathan Kuminga. The 23-year-old forward is still a free agent, and the Atlanta Hawks have explored some potential sign-and-trades, and the Kings could have a framework to please both parties.
The biggest reported roadblock with Los Angeles Lakers sign-and-trade ideas is that the Hawks don’t want to take on two years of Jarred Vanderbilt’s money. Well, De’Andre Hunter will be on an expiring deal this upcoming season. If the Hawks took him back (ironic, I know), then they wouldn’t have to deal with any money past next year.
Sacramento would add a young piece they have been interested in during past seasons, and the Hawks could walk away with a first or a couple of seconds. It could be a win-win.
Kings should try to sign-and-trade De'Andre Hunter for Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga has shown plenty of flashes of potential up to this point in his NBA career, though he has been unable to put all the pieces together. There’s a real chance he’ll be on his third team already next year.
The Golden State Warriors eventually traded him to the Hawks last year (after a long-winded, drama-filled saga), but now, even Atlanta isn’t sure if it wants him.
The Hawks declined his team option, making him an unrestricted free agent. But if Kuminga wants to sign a contract he feels like he’s worth, he needs the Hawks to help with a sign-and-trade.
In theory, Sacramento could sign Kuminga to a deal worth around $20 million annually (it could include some team options) and send Hunter to the Hawks, the team with whom he began his career.
The Hawks may not really want Hunter, but if nothing else, he’d be an expiring contract. They could ship him out in a trade at the deadline or simply let his money expire next summer.
Kuminga is still very young. He’s shown signs of solid scoring abilities, his transition game can be lethal, and his athleticism is off the charts. There’s a reason he was a top-10 draft pick.
Maybe he just needs a new home. A new place to thrive and spread his wings. Sacramento could give him that. Playing alongside Darius Acuff Jr., Nique Clifford, and Alex Karaban would be fun.
The Kings should definitely consider getting back into the Kuminga sweepstakes.
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