The Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads, and Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as one name tied to their next step.
After sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat and committing to a rebuild, Milwaukee is moving into a younger phase with an eye on the future. The Bucks already added new pieces and used two lottery picks, but they may not be done adding talent.
Kuminga became an unrestricted free agent earlier this week after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option. He had been dealt to Atlanta with Buddy Hield near the deadline this past season in the Kristaps Porziņģis trade.
NBA Insider Jake Fischer said Milwaukee is a possible landing spot for the former lottery pick.
"The Milwaukee Bucks are looming as a potential destination for Jonathan Kuminga, per @JakeLFischer (Via @BleacherReport ) pic.twitter.com/9n2rY3XK54"
"Kuminga could still go back to Atlanta, he could still leave by way of sign and trade," Fischer said. "I have heard that he does have interest from Milwaukee, they have a traded player exception that he could be moved into."
Kuminga spent five seasons with the Warriors before the move to Atlanta, and his time in Golden State was marked by a rocky relationship with head coach Steve Kerr and the front office. His role never really settled in, and his minutes often swung up and down from game to game.
Atlanta gave him a reset, and he helped the Hawks close the season strong at 20-9. In 16 games with the team, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range.
The Hawks earned the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to the eventual champions, the New York Knicks. In that six-game series, Kuminga posted 13.7 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 48.3% from the field.
His outside shot wasn’t clean, but he still made his presence felt in Atlanta’s two wins, scoring 21 and 19 points in those games.
Now that he’s on the market, Kuminga is seeking both stability and a clear role. Milwaukee could offer that kind of opening, especially as the franchise leans into its rebuild. He brings explosive athleticism on the wing and does his best work attacking the basket.
The jumper remains a work in progress, but he was willing to let it fly this season, averaging 3.3 attempts per game while shooting 34.6% from deep.
Milwaukee’s depth at forward is already crowded. The team has acquired Jaime Jaquez, drafted Nate Ament, resigned Ousmane Dieng, and still has Kyle Kuzma, Tauren Prince and Pete Nance. The Bucks have also discussed the possibility of moving Kuzma, a move that could create both more financial flexibility and a cleaner path for Kuminga.
Fischer said Milwaukee could also pursue Kuminga using the $25.5 million trade exception from the Heat deal.
Nothing is locked in yet, but the Bucks are clearly positioned to chase him if they decide his upside is worth the swing.
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