- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,265,138
- Reaction score
- 59
Jonathan Kuminga remains one of the most intriguing free agents available, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of acquiring the athletic forward appear to be fading.
The Atlanta Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option after acquiring him from the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline.
That made the 23-year-old an unrestricted free agent, but L.A. would likely need Atlanta’s cooperation in a sign-and-trade because it does not have the cap space to sign him outright.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, the Hawks are willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade but want an asset they value in return.
Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los AngelesLakersguard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
“And that’s part of the holdup, it feels like, between the Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers, because there are people around the NBA that are saying to themselves, what are the Lakers going to give the Hawks that the Hawks value enough or that the Hawks actually want?” Fedor said on the “Wine and Gold Talk” podcast.
The Hawks already have 17 players under contract, according to Fedor, leaving them with roster decisions to make before opening night.
That makes Atlanta unlikely to accept players simply to help L.A. complete a deal. The Lakers would need to provide someone the Hawks view as part of their rotation, draft compensation or another incentive that justifies taking on additional salary.
Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los AngelesLakersguard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forwardJonathanKuminga(1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
L.A. is facing its own roster crunch with 16 players on guaranteed contracts. The Lakers already must waive or trade someone to reach the regular-season limit of 15, adding another complication to a possible Kuminga deal.
Kuminga is also reportedly seeking a contract worth approximately $20 million annually. Reaching that amount in a sign-and-trade would require the Lakers to send out enough matching salary without weakening a roster they rebuilt around Luka Dončić.
The basketball fit is easy to understand. Kuminga would give the Lakers another young, explosive athlete who can attack the rim, run the floor and defend multiple positions.
He averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season while shooting 50.2% from the field. Kuminga played 16 regular-season games for Atlanta after being traded by Golden State and later averaged 13.7 points during the Hawks’ first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.
His athleticism would work well alongside Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. However, his inconsistent outside shooting could present spacing concerns in certain lineups.
The Lakers’ interest makes sense, but interest alone will not complete a complicated sign-and-trade. Atlanta has little motivation to assist unless L.A. produces an appealing return, while the Lakers have limited trade assets and their own roster issues to resolve.
Unless Atlanta lowers its demands or the Lakers find another team to help facilitate the transaction, Kuminga’s path to Los Angeles appears increasingly narrow.
Continue reading...
The Atlanta Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option after acquiring him from the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline.
That made the 23-year-old an unrestricted free agent, but L.A. would likely need Atlanta’s cooperation in a sign-and-trade because it does not have the cap space to sign him outright.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, the Hawks are willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade but want an asset they value in return.
You must be registered for see images attach
Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los AngelesLakersguard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
“And that’s part of the holdup, it feels like, between the Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers, because there are people around the NBA that are saying to themselves, what are the Lakers going to give the Hawks that the Hawks value enough or that the Hawks actually want?” Fedor said on the “Wine and Gold Talk” podcast.
Atlanta has little room for unwanted players
The Hawks already have 17 players under contract, according to Fedor, leaving them with roster decisions to make before opening night.
That makes Atlanta unlikely to accept players simply to help L.A. complete a deal. The Lakers would need to provide someone the Hawks view as part of their rotation, draft compensation or another incentive that justifies taking on additional salary.
You must be registered for see images attach
Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los AngelesLakersguard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forwardJonathanKuminga(1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
L.A. is facing its own roster crunch with 16 players on guaranteed contracts. The Lakers already must waive or trade someone to reach the regular-season limit of 15, adding another complication to a possible Kuminga deal.
Kuminga is also reportedly seeking a contract worth approximately $20 million annually. Reaching that amount in a sign-and-trade would require the Lakers to send out enough matching salary without weakening a roster they rebuilt around Luka Dončić.
Kuminga’s fit remains appealing
The basketball fit is easy to understand. Kuminga would give the Lakers another young, explosive athlete who can attack the rim, run the floor and defend multiple positions.
He averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season while shooting 50.2% from the field. Kuminga played 16 regular-season games for Atlanta after being traded by Golden State and later averaged 13.7 points during the Hawks’ first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.
His athleticism would work well alongside Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. However, his inconsistent outside shooting could present spacing concerns in certain lineups.
The Lakers’ interest makes sense, but interest alone will not complete a complicated sign-and-trade. Atlanta has little motivation to assist unless L.A. produces an appealing return, while the Lakers have limited trade assets and their own roster issues to resolve.
Unless Atlanta lowers its demands or the Lakers find another team to help facilitate the transaction, Kuminga’s path to Los Angeles appears increasingly narrow.
Continue reading...
