Lakers get major ex-Warriors Jonathan Kuminga boost after latest Hawks roster decision

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Lakers get major ex-Warriors Jonathan Kuminga boost after latest Hawks roster decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been in strong pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga for more than two months now. Kuminga could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Lakers, who have seemingly landed most of the players they targeted this summer.

The 23-year-old NBA champion is still weighing his options as teams near the start of training camp. One thing that is certain is that Kuminga is not willing to settle for a veteran minimum deal.

“Jonathan Kuminga is not willing to sign with any team on a one-year prove-it deal at the veteran’s minimum. The Kings and Timberwolves recently expressed interest in Kuminga, but the minimum salary made negotiations a no-go. The Lakers remain the favorites to acquire Kuminga,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.

The Lakers have remained heavily engaged with Kuminga even as contract talks have appeared to reach a standstill. Los Angeles has already put an offer on the table for the former Warriors forward.

“The Lakers have offered Jonathan Kuminga a contract via sign-and-trade that would pay him around $45 million. Los Angeles is willing to send Jarred Vanderbilt alongside draft capital to the Hawks for Kuminga, who must sign at least a three-year deal in sign-and-trade agreements," Sidery wrote.

With the other options for Kuminga seemingly no longer in the running, his choices could now come down to signing with the Lakers or returning to the Atlanta Hawks. However, Atlanta recently gave Kuminga’s No. 00 jersey number to newly acquired Lou Dort. Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes that could be a sign that Kuminga’s time in Atlanta is coming to an end.

“However, a short-term future in Atlanta where Kuminga plays on a one-year deal may be out of the question moving forward. That should be an encouraging sign for the Lakers that they have one less competitor to deal with in trying to secure themselves a starting-caliber forward for next season,” Rovenchuk wrote.

This is a huge development for the Lakers, as they now appear to be the only legitimate suitor for Kuminga in a potential sign-and-trade. Los Angeles could intensify its pursuit of Kuminga if Atlanta is no longer planning to bring him back.

With Kuminga and his camp potentially knowing that Los Angeles is their strongest option, they could become more willing to compromise on the contract demands that have stalled negotiations. The Lakers are now sitting in a strong position to land the former NBA champion.

More NBA news:

• Lakers predicted to outbid Cavaliers, Timberwolves for $46M ex-Warriors NBA champion, young star​

• Cavaliers, Lakers reportedly favorites to sign $46M ex-Warriors NBA champion as season nears​

• Thunder young star Chet Holmgren's future in limbo because of Spurs' Victor Wembanyama's success​

• Lakers predicted to trade Bronny James for $77M high-level scorer, fan favorite in 4-team mega deal​

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