Day 1 of NBA free agency was wild to say the least. And some of the wildest moves weren’t on the open market, but rather via trades.
Jonathan Kuminga Has Free Agency Options. Could He Be Close To Finding A New Home?
While there has already been an incredible amount of movement, there is still a lot of free-agent maneuvering to do. According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, Jonathan Kuminga could be close to finding a new home.
Jonathan Kuminga Heading To Milwaukee?
It appears that Kuminga will be moving to his third team in less than six months. Fischer said that “Milwaukee is looming as a destination” for the 23-year-old forward.
The Milwaukee Bucks are looming as a potential destination for Jonathan Kuminga, per @JakeLFischer
(Via @BleacherReport ) pic.twitter.com/9n2rY3XK54
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 1, 2026
Kuminga hit the open market on Monday when Atlanta decided to decline his $24.3 million club option. Kuminga played fairly well after the Hawks acquired him from Golden State at the trade deadline. In 16 games, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists with shooting splits of 47.6/ 34.6/70.2.
Kuminga also had a couple of big games in the Hawks’ first-round series against the New York Knicks. While Kuminga scored in double figures in five of the six games against the Knicks, he struggled with efficiency. Kuminga was only 5 of 24 from the 3-point line (20.7%).
Kuminga is an athletic 6-7 wing who is at his best getting downhill and putting pressure on the rim. However, consistency has been a huge issue for him on both ends of the court. Shooting is also an issue for Kuminga, though he has improved throughout his career.
Milwaukkee is going through a rebuild and is looking for young talent so that Kuminga would be an interesting fit as a high-upside two-way wing. The Bucks re-upped with Ousmane Dieng on a three-year, $17.5 million deal on Tuesday and signed Bogolijub Markovic, who was the Bucks’ second-round selection last year, to a four-year, $9.25 million deal yesterday.
The Bucks have 17 players under contract, not including No. 10 pick Brayden Burries and No. 13 selection Nate Ament, So, the Bucks have decisions to make. Myles Turner, Tyler Herro, and Kyle Kuzma have been floated as trade candidates. It also has been rumored that teams are interested in Kel’el Ware.
Milwaukee Isn’t the Only Team Interested In Kuminga
The Bucks are not the only team interested in Kuminga. Sacramento is believed to be interested, though there are conflicting reports about their intentions.
Sacramento has been pretty quiet this offseason despite shopping Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine. The Kings did move Devin Carter to Atlanta a few days ago and re-signed Precious Achiuwa to a two-year $11.5 million pact. They did sign Jonathan Mogbo and Adam Flagler to two-way deals yesterday.
The Kings have 12 players under contract, including 2026 first-round picks Darius Acuff Jr. and Alex Karaban. The Kings are over the first apron with about $213 million in committed salary. However, in the worst-case scenario, the Kings can save cap space by waiving DeMar DeRozan and stretching his $10 million guaranteed salary.
If the Kings were to waive DeRozan, then Kuminga would be a solid fit to replace him. Kuminga can create for himself, and his addition would be able to lighten the load on the remaining Kings. The Kings only have the MLE taxpayer ($6.06 million).
Los Angeles Lakers
Additionally, The Athletic’s Dan Woike said the Los Angeles Lakers are considering getting into the fray as they seek a young wing to bolster their perimeter defense.
“A high-upside swing receiving significant consideration, per league sources, is former Golden State Warrior and Atlanta Hawk Jonathan Kuminga,” Woike wrote last night.
The Lakers were very active yesterday. The Lakers spent $262 million to acquire Walker Kessler (via sign-and-trade), Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. They have two open roster spots and are about $8 million below the luxury tax threshold.
LA could use another perimeter defender, and Kuminga is exactly the type of player the Lakers need (athletic with switchability). Also, with their recent additions, they can take a big swing. The Lakers only have a $9.3 million room exception to offer.
The Lakers could also be interested in reuniting with free agent Rui Hachimura. Hachimura has spent the past three-and-a-half years with the Lakers and was terrific in the playoffs. He is expected to get a raise from the $18.3 million that he made last season.
“That Hachimura remains unsigned caused several league sources to wonder whether the Lakers are planning some sort of trade or using the stretch provision on perhaps Jarred Vanderbilt or Deandre Ayton to be able to offer Hachimura more,” ESPN’s Dave McMeniman said.
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