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Jonathan Kuminga has clear leg up on Peyton Watson in Bucks wishlist

Behind the Buck Pass · Jul 22, 2026 18:30 · 3 min read

Jonathan Kuminga has clear leg up on Peyton Watson in Bucks wishlist — Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) reacts after a basket against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at StateFarm Arena on Apr 23, 2026. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Unlike Peyton Watson, the Bucks won’t have to send out a big haul for Jonathan Kuminga.

The Bucks have a clear hole in their roster at the wing, which they’re hoping rising prospects can eventually fill, but they also have some solid options to fill that role before the offseason is over. The two most prominent targets are Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson, but one key difference makes Kuminga the better option: the Bucks won’t have to trade a lot to acquire him.

Kuminga already had his team option declined by the Hawks earlier this summer, meaning Atlanta doesn’t regard him highly and won’t expect a big haul for him in a sign-and-trade. However, the Nuggets still see Watson as a part of their future and would demand a “Walker Kessler-like haul” for him, per insider Marc Stein.

The Bucks’ decision should be obvious

As a rebuilding team, Milwaukee shouldn’t be willing to part ways with significant draft capital for an unproven wing. Prioritizing Kuminga over Watson makes the most sense from an asset management perspective, even if the Bucks will have to face other potential suitors for Kuminga’s talents.

The Bucks have good reason to be excited about their developing young core, but pursuing Watson too aggressively could ruin their chance to build an eventual contender. Let’s rehash the trade that made Walker Kessler a Laker: LA sent two future unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps to Utah to bring him in. Obviously the Bucks have no business offering anything similar for Watson, especially since their picks are likely to be very valuable too.

On the other hand, Kuminga is entering journeyman territory after flaming out with both the Warriors and Hawks. However, that should make him an ideal buy-low target, especially in a rebuilding environment where he can have more freedom to explore every facet of his game. The Bucks could be the perfect team to unlock his full potential and they shouldn’t have to give up too much to have that opportunity.

Kuminga’s potential remains tantalizing

Despite Kuminga’s shortcomings on both of his teams so far in his NBA career, he’s still shown tremendous flashes as a downhill scorer and even as a defender when properly locked in. The Bucks have cultivated a coaching staff focused on developing young players to grow their skillsets and get the most of their existing strengths. If Taylor Jenkins can work his magic with Kuminga, there’s still a very good player waiting to come out.

For a Bucks team lacking players with high potential, Kuminga should be worth a small swing. The Bucks can use his low market demand to their advantage by signing him to a cheap deal and giving up minimal assets to sign-and-trade for him.

Peyton Watson might be regarded as a more surefire bet around the league, since he’s displayed solid 3-and-D capabilities in Denver. But he’s never proven himself in a bigger role over an extended period, and that’s where the Bucks would need to deploy him. At the end of the day, he could be just as big of a risk as Kuminga in a situation like Milwaukee.