Celtics named top landing spot for $46 million ex-Warriors NBA champion

Sep 29, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens talks to reporters during media day at the Auerbach Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have made some solid signings on Day 2 of NBA free agency after a quiet opening night.

Boston bolstered the center position by signing center Mitchell Robinson to a three-year deal worth $47 million to replace Nikola Vučević, who departed for a reunion with the Orlando Magic. The Celtics also added some experience to the backcourt with the signing of point guard Mike Conley on a one-year deal.

Though the Celtics don't have the money to make any more splash signings, as they used their mid-level exception on Robinson, Boston can still hit the open market and take some fliers on a few players. One option could be forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Celtics named top landing spot for Kuminga

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale lists Boston as the No. 1 landing spot for Kuminga, who is still on the free agency market after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option.

"Though Boston cannot count on Kuminga for lights-out spacing, it has the stretch elsewhere to open up the floor for his drives and isos. The Celtics would still be betting on his improvement as a rebounder and defender, but he showed progress last season in the former department," Favale wrote.

Kuminga hasn't lived up to expectations since being the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. The 2022 NBA champion showed a ton of promise during his five-year tenure in the Bay Area, especially in 2023 when he averaged 16 points per game on 52.9% shooting from the field in 74 games.

However, Kuminga's exit from the Warriors was incredibly ugly due to failed contract talks and a deteriorating relationship with head coach Steve Kerr. Golden State ended the saga by trading Kuminga to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis, with Buddy Hield also being included in the deal.

In 12 games with Atlanta to end the 2025-2026 season, Kuminga once again flashed his dynamic skill set and exciting athleticism, but he also struggled from behind the arc.

Nevertheless, a team should take a flier on Kuminga in free agency, as the 23-year-old forward still possesses a ton of potential, and his defensive versatility is also valuable.

The Celtics could use another lengthy wing, especially with Jaylen Brown's uncertain future clouding the franchise's offseason. Signing Kuminga to a team-friendly deal to potentially serve as Brown's replacement or be a key contributor off the bench would be a savvy move by President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens.

Boston still has a $5.5 million biannual exception to use, and that should be enough money to land Kuminga, who is likely going to have to take a one-year prove-it deal after a tumultuous 2025 campaign.