Jonathan Kuminga’s brief run in Atlanta is already over, and the ripple effect could be felt fast.
After the long sign-and-trade chatter finally ran its course, Kuminga is headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Not long after that, Atlanta also moved forward Zaccharie Risacher for the shorter, stouter Luguentz Dort. The result is a Hawks roster that looks thinner, and noticeably smaller, heading into the fall.
That opens the door for late first-round pick Zuby Ejiofor.
Normally, a rookie in his spot would spend time in the G-League, ease into the league, and work his way toward a rotation role. Ejiofor may not get that kind of runway. Atlanta’s frontcourt has been stripped down enough that he could be needed much sooner than expected.
The Hawks appear to be leaning into a smaller look up front. After drafting Ejiofor, re-signing Jock Landale, and showing full confidence in starter Onyeka Okongwu, the team seems to be prioritizing switchable, small-ball options over a traditional big. The backcourt has been fortified by the additions of Kingston Flemings, Aaron Wiggins, and Lu Dort, but the 4-5 spots are looking awfully light.
That shortage got worse when defensive standout Mouhamed Gueye fractured his foot this summer, with a return projected after the new year.
Right now, Atlanta is left with Okongwu, Landale, sophomore Asa Newell, and rookies Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar to handle the frontcourt work.
Okongwu is still set to start, with Landale backing him up. Even so, Ejiofor and Newell should both be in line for around 10 minutes a night. And if Okongwu, Landale, or even Jalen Johnson misses time early in the season, the path to a bigger role opens even wider for Ejiofor - especially with Gueye still sidelined.
In Other News...
Hawks Roster Crunch Is About To Force A Tough Decision
Atlantas roster count has crept into an uncomfortable place, with 17 players on the books and the regular-season limit sitting at 15. That leaves the Hawks needing to clear room before the season gets underway, and the timing matters even more because the NBAs waive-and-stretch deadline is here, which sharply narrows the teams options for trimming down without simply cutting a player outright.
The front office could still explore a few different paths, including using a trade to move one of the extra pieces and lessen the squeeze. Devin Carter and Ryan Nembhard are among the names that could come up in those discussions, while other roster maneuvers remain on the table as Atlanta weighs how aggressive it wants to be. Nothing is locked in yet, but the clock is now forcing the kind of decision teams prefer to avoid until the last possible moment. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kuminga Could Become A Painful Hawks What-If Fast
Jonathan Kumingas next stop has the feel of one of those moves that can linger around a team long after the paperwork is done. His blend of size, burst and versatility makes him the kind of young frontcourt piece clubs spend years trying to find, and the fit now being discussed puts him in a situation where the surroundings could help unlock more of that talent.
For Atlanta, the uneasy part is what comes next. Losing a player with Kumingas tools always invites second-guessing, especially for a team trying to build out its young frontcourt and sort through which pieces can grow together. If he settles in quickly elsewhere, the Hawks may be left wondering how much value they gave up and how expensive that kind of athletic upside can become. [Read more 🡒]
Which Hawks Rookie Can Earn A Real Role Fastest
Atlantas rookie class gives the Hawks three very different bets, and each one comes with a possible path to early minutes. Kingston Flemings arrives with the kind of passing vision and perimeter shooting that can translate quickly if the adjustment period is manageable, while Zuby Ejiofor brings the sort of rebounding and shot-blocking that can give a young big a real niche. Henri Veesaar, meanwhile, stands out as a seven-footer who can stretch the floor, which is always worth a closer look when a team is sorting out how to build bench lineups.
The challenge for all three is the same one most first-year players face: finding a role before the growing pains pile up. The Hawks are not just asking which rookie is the most talented, but which one can earn trust fastest by doing one or two things well enough to stay on the floor. Flemings, Ejiofor and Veesaar each have a clear selling point, and each also has an area that will determine whether that promise becomes something Atlanta can use right away. [Read more 🡒]