This offseason, the Pistons are on the hunt for a real sidekick for Cade Cunningham and should hopefully be taking a long look at Jonathan Kuminga. With his time on the Hawks likely coming to an end, this is the right time to scoop up a player with a huge upside and a lot of potential in the right environment. Playing alongside Cunningham in Detroit could finally give Kuminga the opportunity to be that player and help the Pistons find the next level in the postseason.
The Pistons Should Really Put Jonathan Kuminga to Work
Golden State drafted Kuminga seventh overall in 2021, which feels like a lifetime ago at this point. It’s not hard to understand why the front office wanted him. His raw athleticism combined with his rebounding and at-the-rim finishing made him an intriguing addition to the roster. What’s harder to understand is why Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t see things the same way.
Even in 2021, the core of the Warriors’ dynasty was starting to show their age. Players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green were losing a step here and there, some more than others. Kuminga was the kind of fresh blood the team needed to revitalize the roster. On the other hand, Kerr appeared to view his new guy as unplayable, largely leaving Kuminga on the bench. His usage and minutes were inconsistent at best, an issue that stymied Kuminga’s development.
The rest of the roster didn’t seem to have an issue with Kuminga, with players like Green singing his praises. Still, the lack of respect from Kerr made it hard to get Kuminga to re-sign in the 2025 offseason. He ultimately did, though the Warriors ended up trading him to the Hawks at the 2026 deadline. He ended his time with Golden State a champion, having won a title with them in 2022.
Kuminga Finally Finds an Opening to Prove Himself
As it turned out, a move to Atlanta was exactly what Kuminga needed. The Hawks were in the midst of a soft rebuild after the end of the relatively unproductive Trae Young era. A series of changes to the roster quickly turned the team into an unexpected postseason participant. Atlanta was the only team to score two victories against the juggernaut Knicks in the 2026 playoffs. The Hawks may have ultimately been knocked out in the first round, but there’s a level of success in what they did accomplish that’s hard to deny.
While Kuminga primarily played off the bench, he got more minutes and more opportunities to show his potential in those few months with the Hawks than his last couple of seasons with the Warriors. It was a glimpse into what a fully realized Kuminga with the full support of his team could be like. Regardless, Kuminga is still looking for a new home.
Atlanta did not take Kuminga’s team option due to cost. The front office seemingly felt that his salary was too high for what they were going to use him for. It also doesn’t help that the Hawks on the wing, a situation that has been exacerbated by trading with the Thunder for Lu Dort. As it stands right now, Kuminga is an unrestricted free agent looking for a new home. Considering what Detroit is looking to do, he could be a good fit for them.
The Pistons Need a Kuminga on the Roster
Despite being the top team in the East last season and making the second round of the playoffs, Detroit has gone through some serious changes. Several players are gone, including Tobias Harris, and the Jalen Duren situation is confusing at best. Through trades and the draft, a few new players have joined the roster, including Isaiah Joe and John Collins.
Keeping all of this in mind, it’s hard to say if the Pistons have found the sidekick Cunningham needs to thrive already. Kuminga would be an explosive, athletic partner for the two-time All-Star, someone who could alleviate offensive pressure at the rim. While the Pistons do have Ausar Thompson, adding Kuminga into the mix provides another avenue for them to capitalize on. There is a high amount of power and speed on this line, something the Pistons are going to need moving forward.
No one is suggesting that Kuminga is a perfect player. He has a lot of work to do to reach his full potential, but so do the Pistons. Like this team, he’s a diamond in the rough that needs pressure to find himself. He came close to that on the Hawks and did great work. The Pistons straight up throwing him in the deep end of the pool could be exactly what it takes to get him going.
Photo Credit: Brad Penner, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
