Jonathan Kuminga Seeks Long Term Deal With Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks and Jonathan Kuminga are aligned on a plan to decline his 2026-27 team option and push for an extension, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports. Kuminga said his "goal" is to help Atlanta become a consistent contender, adding "That's the goal... It starts now." The 23-year-old has played six games while managing a knee issue but flashed potential with a 27-point game as Atlanta rides an 11-game win streak into the play-in picture. Merlin sees Atlanta betting on upside over certainty. Kuminga was limited in Golden State but now gets a bigger role and runway to grow into an All Star. The risk is health and small sample size, yet the Hawks prefer to lock in a young, high-upside wing rather than chase a short term fix. Expect talks to heat up as the season ends.