Warriors Trade Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Hawks
Warriors Hawks Kristaps Porziņģis trade February 2026
The Golden State Warriors officially ended a tumultuous chapter in their “two-timelines” era on Wednesday night, February 4, 2026, by trading forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for All-Star center Kristaps Porziņģis. The blockbuster deal, first reported by Shams Charania, fulfills a trade request Kuminga reportedly made on January 15 after falling out of head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation. The Warriors, currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 27-24 record, are seeking to stabilize a frontcourt that has struggled with size and floor-spacing, particularly following the devastating ACL tear suffered by Jimmy Butler on January 19.
For the Warriors, the acquisition of the 7-foot-3 Porziņģis represents a calculated gamble on talent and fit over durability. The Latvian “Unicorn” has averaged 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17 games this season, though he has been sidelined since January 7 with Achilles tendinitis and an illness. When healthy, Porziņģis provides a unique stretch-big profile that is expected to thrive in pick-and-pop scenarios with Stephen Curry. In a secondary move to clear roster space and recoup assets, the Warriors also sent center Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick originally belonging to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Atlanta Hawks receive a high-upside wing in the 23-year-old Kuminga, whose tenure in San Francisco was marked by explosive athleticism but inconsistent minutes. Selected No. 7 overall in 2021, Kuminga started 13 games earlier this season before being benched and eventually dropped from the rotation entirely. In Atlanta, he joins a rebuilding core where he is expected to see significant developmental minutes alongside rookie Zaccharie Risacher. The Hawks also acquire Buddy Hield, a career 39.5% shooter from beyond the arc, whose perimeter gravity will provide immediate spacing for a team that recently traded star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards.
This trade was the centerpiece of a frantic 24 hours leading up to the February 5 NBA trade deadline, which saw several other superstars on the move, including Anthony Davis to the Wizards and James Harden to the Cavaliers. The Warriors had reportedly been targeting Porziņģis for several months, viewing him as the ideal defensive partner for Draymond Green. While critics point to Porziņģis’ history of lower-body injuries—including playing only 42 games last season—Golden State’s front office appears committed to maximizing the remaining championship window of their veteran core. Porziņģis was listed as questionable for Thursday’s games, suggesting he may make his Warriors debut as early as this weekend.
