The Los Angeles Lakers are still caught up in the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes. Kuminga, 23, has generated interest from multiple teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
According to NBA insider Keith Smith, the reason Kuminga is still unsigned has a lot to do with Kuminga himself.
“For him, that’s where he’s stuck. If he’s not gonna get the money he wants, he’s gonna get stuck where he is in a position of how do I get there? … He is stuck right now. It sounds like he is really stuck on choosing between where he wants to be on a longer term deal on less money, or choosing I really want to play it out on a one-year deal.”
The Hawks are open to dealing Kuminga in a sign-and-trade, according to reports, but it may take a lot of strategizing for the Lakers to get Kuminga and for Kuminga to get the deal he desires.
The 3-Team Trade That Gets Jonathan Kuminga to the Lakers
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 23: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a basket against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Hawks reporter Rohan Roman outlined a three-team deal involving the Portland Trail Blazers that sends Kuminga, the Golden State Warriors’ former lottery pick, to the Lakers. Here is the proposed framework.
Hawks get: Dalton Knecht, Shaedon Sharpe, 2027 2nd round pick (via POR), 2028 2nd round pick (via POR)
Lakers get: Mo Gueye, Jonathan Kuminga
Trail Blazers get: Buddy Hield, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2027 first-round pick swap (via ATL), 2032 first-round pick swap (via LAL)
Wrote Roman: “In this scenario, Kuminga would sign a four-year, $64 million dollar contract with a player option in the fourth year and a starting salary of $16,000,000 in the first year. All three teams would stay under the luxury tax with this deal and have enough roster spots to the point where they wouldn’t need to waive/sign anyone.”
The one potential issue with this proposed framework is the length of Kuminga’s contract. According to reports, Kuminga is uninterested in signing a longer-term deal because he wants the flexibility to hit free agency sooner and pursue a more lucrative contract.
Reports say Kuminga is aiming for a deal that pays him in the ballpark of $15-$20 million annually.
Why L.A., Atlanta and Portland Do the Trade
According to Roman, this deal would work for Portland because of short-term flexibility and long term upside.
“For Portland, the appeal is getting two potentially juicy pick swaps to add to their draft pick hoard while also clearing future cap space for a Deni Avdija extension,” Roman wrote. “Hield brings much-needed high-volume shooting, and a healthy Vanderbilt could pair with Toumani Camara to form a pretty imposing perimeter defensive duo. Even so, Vanderbilt is just a salary filler, and they might be able to trade him next offseason as an expiring contract.”
Atlanta, meanwhile, might be moved by the opportunity to land Sharpe, the 20-year-old Blazers guard with superstar potential. In his second season, the spring-loaded Sharpe averaged nearly 21 points per game.
“(Sharpe’s) another guard on a team that’s already trying to find minutes for Dyson Daniels, (Nickeil Alexander-Walker), Kingston Flemings and CJ McCollum,” Roman wrote. “However, adding Sharpe would be opportunistic long-term planning that does make some sense in the broader vision of this roster.”
For the Lakers, landing Kuminga, who has been squarely on their radar since late June, would be a sweet way to put a bow on an offseason that saw the most change in recent franchise history.
Lakers Trade Pitch Lands Jonathan Kuminga in Eye-Popping 3-Team Deal