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Lakers get price tag on Jonathan Kuminga after new sign-and-trade report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in desperate need of a 3-and-D wing.
They failed to acquire one early on in free agency or via trade so far, as they used most of their highly valued assets to land their A-list center in Walker Kessler.
Much (if not all) of the Lakers' relevant assets were used to get Luka Doncic his long-term center. And while that was a clear and obvious need for Los Angeles, the Lakers remain without a two-way wing.
That is the next step for the Lakers; however, it likely won't be a long-term one.
Their options in that department are thin; nevertheless, they have a great chance to acquire a young and promising forward in a free agent, Jonathan Kuminga.
The Lakers want Kuminga, and Kuminga reportedly wants to be in Tinseltown. However, as we sit a week into free agency, that has yet to be resolved.
That is because things aren't as easy as they appear.
The Lakers have one open roster spot, but very little financial flexibility. With that being the case, California Post's Lakers insider Khobi Price mentioned what it might take to acquire the 23-year-old frontcourt player.
"The main option that could help the Lakers acquire Kuminga: A sign and trade with the Hawks, which would allow Kuminga to receive a higher salary than the Lakers are able to offer him as an unrestricted free agent," Price wrote.
"A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap – the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer. "
Lakers offer more than just a contract
The Lakers reportedly offered Kuminga a two-year, $20 million deal.
Last season, the former NBA champion earned over $23 million.
That potential $13 million decrease is a considerable amount, no doubt about it; however, Kuminga would have the opportunity to prove his true value on a championship contender led by Doncic.
On top of that, the Congo native will likely play a vital role for the Lakers, either serving as a starter or playing valuable minutes.
If Kuminga were to join the Lakers on that reported deal, he could potentially set himself up for an even bigger payday if he plays his cards right.
The Lakers love to hand out player-friendly contracts like their hors d'oeuvres, and they may need to do just that to land Kuminga.
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