Jonathan Kuminga’s agent: ‘He was their best player’ with Hawks

Jonathan Kuminga played just 16 regular-season games for the Hawks. According to his agent, that was enough to establish him as their best player.

Aaron Turner made that case during an appearance on The Kevin O’Connor Show, pointing to Kuminga’s impact after arriving from the Warriors at the trade deadline.

“He was their best player from the moment that he showed up in terms of winning impact,” Turner said. “He had the best on/off net rating, in the regular season and in the playoffs.”

Turner wasn’t finished. “In their two wins against the Knicks, who had the best net rating?” he said. “These are not opinions, these are facts. Who had the best net rating? Jonathan Kuminga.”

Well then. Kuminga certainly played well after Atlanta acquired him in the deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State. He became an important part of the Hawks’ bench and played a significant role in their two playoff victories over the Knicks.

Whether that made him Atlanta’s best player is another matter.

The Hawks apparently didn’t see him as indispensable. They declined Kuminga’s $24 million team option this summer and ultimately watched him sign a two-year deal worth roughly $13 million with the Timberwolves.

Turner said Atlanta’s long-term commitments to Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels also factored into the decision, with Kuminga potentially facing a smaller role on an expiring contract.

“Where was the growth for JK?” Turner said.

That’s ultimately why Turner believes Minnesota, even at considerably less money, offered the better situation.

And yes, the numbers Turner cited are real. Sixteen regular-season games are real, too.

But if Kuminga can become Minnesota’s best player, well, then we’ll really have a story.