Jonathan Kuminga’s arrival suits the Hawks’ “schedule”.

While waiting for the beginnings of his rookie season with the HawksOnsi Saleh does not hide his enthusiasm for coming to Atlanta Jonathan Cumminga. Young player, recovered from Buddy Hield in exchange for Kristaps Porzingiswhich the local GM already knows” All right ».

Before finding the position in Georgia, the manager held several positions within the Warriors: Head of Basketball Strategy and Deputy Legal Counsel (2021/22), then Director of Basketball Strategy and Legal Counsel (2022/23), before becoming Vice President of Basketball Strategy (2023/24).

After that, recruited by the Hawks as an assistant GM, Onsi Saleh was therefore able to closely follow the first steps of Congo, who arrived in the league in 2021 (7th pick in the 2021 draft). What played a role in making this transfer.

« I was there for the first three years. It (this exchange) made sense for us given our schedule and what we’re trying to accomplish. He’s a 23-year-old with a lot of potential, and what really helps us is the pressure he puts on the rim. He is a phenomenal athlete », qualifies GM.

More mobilized in position 3?

Athletic qualities that he had the opportunity to show several times with the Californians. Onsi Saleh also emphasizes his sense of return. With just under 6 catches per game this season, he has a career best average.

« He can be absolutely outstanding in transition, and he brings size to the wing position if we ever need to add an extra defender to defend on one of these big wing players in the league », the manager said again, thinking about the use at station 3, not 4.

This raises the question of the future cohabitation between the newcomer and the two holders of these positions, Zachary Rizacher and Jalen Johnson. Also, the GM is not forgetting about the player’s contract situation: Paid up to $22.5 million this season (the team’s 3rd salary), Jonathan Cumminga has a “team option” for the second year of the contract, which the Hawks can activate, or not.

« We rate these two in particular. We’ll see how the season goes and figure out where it all leads. », warns Onsi Saleh, including Badi Hild, who still has a year left on his contract. Jonathan Cuminga therefore has every interest to show himself at his best in the coming weeks.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.