Jonathan Kuminga prefers the Los Angeles Lakers over the Minnesota Timberwolves as he weighs his next destination, according to Jake Fischer. Los Angeles has pitched Kuminga on starting alongside Luka Doncic and being rewarded financially next year.
The Lakers and Atlanta Hawks have resumed discussions on a potential Kuminga sign-and-trade, with Jaden Hardy reportedly emerging as part of the latest framework. The talks remain complicated by Atlanta’s salary and roster situation.
Kurt Helin of NBC Sports reported that earlier negotiations stalled because the Hawks were unwilling to absorb additional salary without meaningful draft compensation. Atlanta is reportedly about $3.8 million below the luxury-tax line, while Kuminga currently carries a zero cap figure for the Hawks.
Hardy, who is set to earn $6 million this season, could provide a less expensive salary-matching mechanism than Jarred Vanderbilt, whose contract carries a $12.4 million salary. However, Atlanta already has 17 players under contract entering training camp and must reduce its roster rather than simply add players.
Kuminga, 23, averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 36 games during the 2025-26 season, shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. In 16 appearances after joining Atlanta, he averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 47.6%.
Fischer’s reporting suggests Los Angeles has presented a clear basketball and financial case. The Lakers envision Kuminga as a starter next to Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in 64 games last season.
The Lakers finished 53-29, fourth in the Western Conference, before reaching the conference semifinals. Oklahoma City swept Los Angeles 4-0 in that series.
Kuminga’s ability to play either forward position would address a potential need for Los Angeles, while his transition finishing and athleticism could complement Doncic’s half-court creation. The Lakers’ reported promise of a larger role also separates their pitch from Minnesota’s current financial limitations.
The Timberwolves finished 49-33 and reached the Western Conference semifinals before losing to San Antonio in six games. Minnesota has been identified as another Kuminga finalist but is reportedly limited to offering him a veteran-minimum contract.
That leaves the financial structure of a Lakers-Hawks transaction as the central issue. Atlanta reportedly wants draft compensation for taking on additional money, while Los Angeles has previously resisted attaching a significant draft asset to complete the deal.
