Switching teams again? Hawks reportedly evaluating trade market for 23-year-old Kuminga, who is highly attractive to multiple teams

On June 18, Beijing time, as reported by HoopsHype’s veteran journalist Scotto, prior to the NBA Draft, the Hawks have completed a comprehensive assessment, determining the trade valuation for Kuminga from all teams around the league.

This timing for market research makes sense. Kuminga is set to have a $24.3 million team option for next season, and the Hawks need to make a pivotal choice regarding him before the start of free agency.

The Hawks have at least explored what Kuminga could fetch in a trade, but this does not necessarily mean they are eager to move him. Simply put, it is too early to conclude that he will definitely leave the team.

At 23 years old, Kuminga remains one of the league’s most talented young forwards. When he is performing at his best, he can score in bunches and switch defensively across multiple positions.

During the first-round playoff series against the Knicks, he had several standout performances. In the two games the Hawks won, he combined for 40 points.

This is a major reason why other teams have consistently viewed him as a highly attractive trade target.

Overall, the Hawks appear to be keeping their options open and preparing for all possibilities, which may be the most prudent approach. Whether Kuminga stays in Atlanta for long-term building or is used as a trade asset to acquire other reinforcements, the Hawks are currently weighing every viable path forward.

The Hawks acquired Kuminga from the Warriors in February. In 16 regular-season games with Atlanta, he averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. In the first-round playoff series against the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks, the Hawks lost in six games. Kuminga averaged 13.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in the series, and in the two wins, he totaled 40 points.

In this year’s draft, the Hawks hold the Pelicans’ 8th pick and the Cavaliers’ 23rd pick in the first round, giving them an opportunity to add promising young talent to their roster through the draft. In his latest mock draft, Bleacher Report’s draft expert Wasserman predicts the Hawks will select Louisville guard Mikell Brown Jr. with the 8th pick and Kentucky forward Jayden Quintance with the 23rd pick.

If the Hawks trade Kuminga, they could acquire additional draft picks and player assets in return, thereby maintaining their competitiveness as a playoff team. The team is expected to consider moving the 23-year-old in the coming days.