The Atlanta Hawks are open to helping the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Jonathan Kuminga through a sign-and-trade, with Jarred Vanderbilt and a future draft asset among the pieces that could make the deal possible, according to Khobi Price of the California Post.
The Lakers’ primary path to signing Kuminga appears to be a sign-and-trade because of their limited financial flexibility. Atlanta is reportedly willing to facilitate a deal centered around Kuminga joining Los Angeles, with the Hawks receiving Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap.
Under NBA rules, Kuminga’s contract in a sign-and-trade would need to be for at least three or four seasons, excluding option years, and the first season would have to be fully guaranteed. The structure would allow Kuminga to receive a larger salary than the Lakers could offer him outright as an unrestricted free agent.
Vanderbilt has two years and $25.7 million remaining on the four-year, $48 million extension he signed with Los Angeles in September 2023. His contract includes a $12.4 million salary for the 2026-27 season and a $13.3 million player option for 2027-28.
The Lakers have reportedly been willing to explore moving Vanderbilt as they look for additional roster flexibility. Los Angeles also has three second-round picks available to trade, including two acquired from the Washington Wizards and its own 2033 second-round selection.
The Lakers have kept one roster spot open while evaluating their options, and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the team views that final spot as a significant part of its offseason plans. Kuminga remains one of the players Los Angeles has targeted as it continues building around Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles has already added Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili this offseason, but the team is still searching for more athleticism and two-way ability on the wing following LeBron James’ departure.
Kuminga’s situation has developed after Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option. The 23-year-old forward averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range in 16 games with the Hawks after arriving in a midseason trade from the Golden State Warriors.
Across his five NBA seasons, Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. His strongest season came in 2023-24, when he averaged 16.1 points on 52.9% shooting while emerging as a key scorer for Golden State.
The Lakers have explored shorter-term options because of their limited cap space. Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that Los Angeles considered an offer around two years and $20 million, while McMenamin noted the team would need additional moves to create room for a larger contract.
A potential sign-and-trade gives Los Angeles another avenue to add Kuminga without relying solely on available cap space. The Lakers’ pitch would reportedly focus on opportunity, a significant role next to Doncic and the possibility of rebuilding Kuminga’s value before his next major contract.
