The Milwaukee Bucks have re-entered the race for Jonathan Kuminga, with renewed interest in acquiring the restricted free agent through a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
According to Evan Sidery, Milwaukee has shifted its attention toward Kuminga after recently checking in on Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson. The Bucks previously explored a trade for Kuminga while he was still with the Golden State Warriors before he was dealt to Atlanta at February’s trade deadline.
The latest development comes as Milwaukee continues reshaping its roster following the blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. After finishing 32-50 last season and missing the playoffs, the Bucks have embraced a younger core centered around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Myles Turner and rookie lottery picks Brayden Burries and Nate Ament.
Adding Kuminga would fit that timeline.
The 23-year-old forward averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range in 16 games after joining Atlanta. Although those numbers represented a smaller offensive role than he previously held with Golden State, Kuminga has already shown he can produce at a much higher level.
During the 2023-24 campaign, Kuminga averaged 16.1 points while shooting 52.9% from the field, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s most efficient finishers around the basket and a dangerous transition scorer. Across five NBA seasons, he owns career averages of 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Atlanta’s decision to decline Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option earlier this offseason made him a restricted free agent and significantly increased the likelihood that his next contract would come through a sign-and-trade agreement.
Milwaukee is far from the only team monitoring the situation.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as one of the strongest contenders if they fail to land LeBron James in free agency. Cleveland reportedly has discussed sign-and-trade scenarios with Atlanta while waiting for James’ decision. The Cavaliers finished 52-30 last season, reached the Eastern Conference Finals after eliminating the conference-leading Detroit Pistons in seven games, but were swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also maintained interest. Reports have indicated Atlanta would be open to a framework centered around Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap. Los Angeles has already added Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney this offseason but has reportedly kept a roster spot available for another wing.
For Milwaukee, Kuminga would represent another upside swing during a transitional offseason. The Bucks acquired Herro, Ware, Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and multiple future first-round picks in the Giannis trade before drafting Burries with the No. 10 overall pick and Ament at No. 13.
They also acquired Caris LeVert from Detroit, re-signed Ousmane Dieng and Gary Trent Jr., and added additional young depth while creating long-term financial flexibility.
