Trading Kuminga 2-for-1 rating: Warriors acquire a discounted Porzingis rated B; Hawks strengthen wings also rated B

On February 5th Beijing time, Kuminga’s lengthy five-year journey with the Golden State Warriors came to a close, marking the end of a protracted drama. The Warriors sent Kuminga and Hield to the Atlanta Hawks to acquire Porzingis.

According to insider Shams, this trade means the Warriors’ plan to chase Giannis is completely off the table. Earlier reports indicated the Warriors wanted to avoid Butler’s max contract in the deal, meaning they had to use contracts of Kuminga, Hield, and Green to facilitate the trade. Now that the deal is done and the Bucks rejected the Warriors’ pick-centered offer, Golden State has shifted its focus to another player.

Meanwhile, the Hawks continue their roster overhaul, marking the second former All-Star traded away this season. With Trae Young also gone, the Hawks will have no fully guaranteed contracts for players aged 27 or older next season, accelerating their youth movement. Renowned media outlet CBS rated the impact of this trade on both teams.

Warriors trade rating: B

After five inconsistent years in a system that didn’t suit him, Kuminga’s trade value has significantly declined. There were summer rumors that the Kings were willing to give a lottery-protected first-round pick for him, but after acquiring Hunter, that hope faded. Kuminga has essentially become a salary-matching piece, and with the slim chance of landing Giannis, the Warriors opted for a different path.

If Porzingis stays healthy, this trade would undoubtedly earn the Warriors an A+ grade.For years, the Warriors have coveted a player like him. Part of signing Horford this offseason was to pair Green with a center capable of shooting from outside. The Warriors have never had a big man like Porzingis—tall and skilled at rim protection—whose height advantage under the basket addresses a long-standing team weakness.

However, the reality is Porzingis’s health is currently questionable. Even if he is the type who misses games due to injury but delivers standout performances when on the court, the Warriors would clearly benefit. Yet, he suffers from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, an autonomic nervous system disorder causing rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and fatigue—symptoms that raise serious concerns.

Porzingis played exceptionally well in the first 11 games of October and November, averaging over 18 points per game, with a notable difference in team efficiency when he was on versus off the court. Since then, he has appeared in only six games with mostly average performances. It remains uncertain when or if he can return to peak form, not to mention the other injuries he has faced throughout his career.

At least for now, the Warriors have acquired a Porzingis whose performance level is diminished.Still, this trade is worth the gamble for several reasons. For example, the risk is minimal. Porzingis carries an expiring contract, and the Warriors didn’t surrender any draft picks to get him. If his health proves unreliable over the next three months, the team can easily part ways. They also shed Hield’s $3 million guaranteed contract for next season—a small but meaningful win.

However,it’s more likely the Warriors aim to re-sign Porzingis to a team-friendly deal.If they can sign him for $10 to $15 million annually instead of his current $30 million salary, the risk-to-reward ratio improves greatly. This trade itself carries low risk without betting the championship core on his health. They understand that to achieve short-term success, a high-reward trade is necessary, making this a sensible attempt. Generally, low-risk, high-reward moves are prudent.

Additionally, there is the team image factor. The Warriors’ legendary championship run is nearing its end, which is no secret. Curry is about to turn 38. The only reason they seemed to have a shot at Giannis was the bleak outlook post-Curry retirement, giving their draft picks some theoretical value. Given the thin roster depth, some may argue the risk of chasing Giannis outweighs the potential reward. But the Warriors must try—they owe Curry that effort. A player of Curry’s caliber deserves to compete in the playoffs at least in the twilight of his career, even if another title isn’t feasible.

Though this Porzingis trade is far less thrilling than acquiring Giannis, it signals to Curry and the fans that the team is still striving to improve the roster.Porzingis is a capable player who can significantly help the team. Like Butler, his signing doesn’t come at an excessive cost. In fact, players like him are exactly the targets the Warriors should pursue now. The goal is to preserve draft picks to enable rebuilding after Curry retires, while also assembling a competitive squad for him. This trade balances both needs, bringing hope without future heavy financial burdens and easing locker room tensions caused by Kuminga. So, even though Porzingis isn’t currently at his best, this trade remains reasonable.

Hawks trade rating: B

The Warriors and Hawks are at different stages of development. The Hawks once genuinely hoped Porzingis could pair with Okongwu as a future core. But since that vision didn’t materialize, there’s no justification for offering him a long-term deal. The team needs stability in the frontcourt, which Porzingis cannot provide, making trading him a sensible choice.

Could they have gotten some minor draft pick compensation? Certainly, but those picks would likely come with complicated contracts. The Hawks will receive valuable first-round picks from the Pelicans or Bucks this summer and next year. For them, maintaining salary cap flexibility is far more important than accumulating picks. They need funds to find a reliable center and a guard who can create their own shots to replace Trae Young.

Therefore,like the Warriors, the Hawks also made a low-risk, high-reward move.Hield’s $3 million contract for next season is guaranteed, and since he has two years left, waiving him would allow the contract to be spread over five years. That’s an easily manageable deal. Kuminga’s next season contract includes a $24.3 million team option. Using him as a salary-matching piece in a summer trade is feasible; if they want to cut ties later, that’s also possible.

Assuming the Hawks never intended to re-sign Porzingis, swapping him for another potentially expiring contract makes perfect sense. Why not give Kuminga a couple of months to prove if he can perform better after leaving the Warriors? The Hawks’ system shares some similarities with Golden State’s. The Warriors lead the league in passes per game and three-point attempts this season. The Hawks rank 10th in passing and 11th in three-point attempt rate. Coach Snyder wants fast ball movement and frequent three-point shooting. Still, no team plays exactly like the Warriors.

The Hawks’ style is closer to the NBA mainstream, so it will be interesting to see if Kuminga can fit in here.After all, he still possesses outstanding athleticism. In last year’s playoff series against the Timberwolves, he averaged 24 points across four games with heavy minutes, shooting 55% overall, 49% from three, and 72% from the free-throw line. Clearly, he has solid talent. The Hawks have always favored tall, ball-handling wings, and they have designed many offensive plays around Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, despite their differing strengths and weaknesses offensively.

Snyder is a highly creative offensive coach, and the team can never have too many wing players.Moreover, the Hawks made no substantial long-term commitment in this trade. Since they traded a player they didn’t plan to re-sign, this deal is like a valuable lottery ticket. Originally a team hoping to reach the play-in, spending a few months to see if they can unlock this former high draft pick’s potential and improve next season carries no downside for them.