As soon as once more, Jonathan Kuminga had a giant recreation for the Atlanta Hawks, one which was punctuated by a pair of rim-rattling dunks. His efficiency has been so good that it prompted Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins to thank the Golden State Warriors for his or her short-sightedness on air.
The scenario between the Warriors and Kuminga by no means made sense to anybody. The 23-year-old ahead was good on each ends of the court docket and has all the time had the potential to be one of many greats if given the possibility. All Golden State needed to do was develop him, and so they had a future star.
For some cause that nobody actually understands, the Warriors refused to try this. He was largely left on the bench in favor of veteran ahead Draymond Inexperienced. The irony of that’s Golden State took an opportunity on Inexperienced a few years in the past and it paid off, but they weren’t keen to do the identical for Kuminga.
This all led to an virtually year-long saga of the Warriors dancing round a Kuminga commerce. It lastly occurred simply earlier than the 2026 deadline, and despatched each Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta. It was a part of a sequence of strikes the Hawks made which have solely strengthened their roster.
Jonathan Kuminga goes massive in his new dwelling
The previous Warrior is just a few video games into his tenure in Atlanta, and he is already enjoying like a brand new man. Kuminga is getting extra minutes, appears to be a lot happier, and is delivering his finest work on the court docket in years. Everyone seems to be taking discover, together with Dominique Wilkins.
Atlanta has a protracted historical past of unbelievable gamers on the Hawks, however Wilkins is arguably one of the best of one of the best. He now works as a member of the commentary staff for the Hawks. After a pair of poster-worthy dunks in opposition to the Blazers, Wilkins was fast to thank the Warriors on air for the commerce.
It is value noting that the primary of Kuminga’s dunks was a windmill that was greater than a little bit paying homage to Wilkins‘ personal dunking abilities. On prime of that, followers additionally obtained in on the motion and began a thank-you chant directed on the Warriors, as properly.
Anybody paying any consideration to the Warriors‘ scenario with Kuminga knew this was going be embarrassing for them. Inside two video games, he has confirmed his worth to the Hawks, and their legends are already embracing him. Kuminga would be the new begin for Atlanta the Warriors gave up on.
