Warriors Shake Up Roster: Trade Kuminga and Hield to Hawks for Porzingis in Blockbuster Deal
By NBA Staff Writer | February 5, 2026
In a stunning move ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors have agreed to trade Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday.[1][3]
The deal marks the end of a tumultuous chapter for Kuminga in Golden State, where the 23-year-old forward, selected seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, struggled to find a consistent role under coach Steve Kerr. Despite flashing athletic potential as a wing player, Kuminga never fully meshed with the Warriors’ roster, especially following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler last season.[1][2][3]
Kuminga’s Rocky Tenure in Golden State
Kuminga’s relationship with the Warriors hit rocky patches early and often. After a contentious summer negotiation, he signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option for $24 million next season, making him trade-eligible only after January 15.[1][2]
He started the first 12 games of the season but was benched amid a team skid, falling out of the rotation entirely by game 13. A brief return followed Jimmy Butler’s season-ending injury, only for Kuminga to suffer his own knee issue, sidelining him for over a month. Since returning on January 20, his minutes have been sparse, appearing in just 20 games (13 starts) with averages of 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 45.4% shooting.[2]
Career-wise, Kuminga posts 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game at 50% from the field, but reports indicate he demanded a trade on January 15, his first eligible day.[1][2]
Porzingis Brings Size and Spacing to Warriors
For Golden State, Porzingis represents a high-upside addition at center. The 7-foot-2 Latvian big man, acquired by Atlanta from the Boston Celtics in the offseason, started hot with the Hawks, averaging 19.2 points in his first 13 games.[1][3]
However, his season derailed due to an illness that sidelined him through most of December. Last season with Boston, Porzingis dealt with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), an autonomic nervous system disorder that hampered his playoff performance.[1][3]
When healthy, Porzingis excels as a stretch-five, providing elite floor-spacing and rim protection. He’s on an expiring contract and enters free agency this summer, making this a low-risk gamble for the Warriors seeking to bolster their frontcourt amid injury woes.[1][3][4]
Additional Warriors Move: Jackson-Davis to Raptors
The Warriors are also shipping center Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a 2026 second-round pick originally from the Los Angeles Lakers, further clearing cap space and roster spots.[1]
Hawks’ Perspective: Fresh Start for Youth
Atlanta gains Kuminga, an athletic prospect seeking a fresh start, alongside sharpshooter Buddy Hield. The Hawks, fresh off offseason moves including Porzingis (via a three-team deal with Boston and Brooklyn) and signings of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, appear to be retooling their wing depth.[4]
This trade ends speculation around Kuminga’s future in Golden State, which dated back to reduced minutes post-Butler trade and extended through his restricted free agency standoff. Reports suggest it may also pivot the Warriors away from pursuits of stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo.[4][5]
League Reactions Pour In
CBS Sports analyst John Gonzalez called it a “nice roll of the dice” for Golden State, noting Porzingis could complement the core while freeing up minutes.[5]
“The Warriors are finally moving on from Kuminga… Taking a flier on [Porzingis] makes a lot of sense.”
— Bleacher Report analysis[4]
As the deadline looms, this swap reshapes two contenders’ trajectories. Golden State eyes Porzingis’ health as a key to contention, while Atlanta bets on Kuminga’s upside. Both teams waived deeper pursuits, signaling strategic resets in a competitive Western Conference.[1][2][3][4]
Player Profiles at a Glance
| Player | Age | Key Stats (Career/This Season) | New Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Kuminga | 23 | 12.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG (50% FG); 12.1 PPG this szn | Hawks |
| Kristaps Porzingis | 30 | Stretch-5, rim protector; 19.2 PPG early szn | Warriors |
| Buddy Hield | 33 | Elite shooter | Hawks |
The NBA trade deadline continues to deliver fireworks, with this deal underscoring the high stakes of roster management. Fans await official announcements and how these players fit into their new squads.
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