Contract Structure Stalls Lakers’ Bid for Jonathan Kuminga
contract-structure-stalls-lakers-bid-for-jonathan-kuminga
The Los Angeles Lakers remain in the market for a starting small forward and have zeroed in on Atlanta Hawks free-agent Jonathan Kuminga. Mutual interest has been clear since Atlanta declined the 23-year-old’s $24 million team option, but no agreement has been reached.
Sign-and-trade complications
Any move would have to be completed through a sign-and-trade, requiring approval from Kuminga, the Lakers and the Hawks. League sources told reporter Jake Fischer that Los Angeles is prepared to install Kuminga as its opening-night starter if he accepts a contract structure set by the Lakers. To date, Kuminga has resisted a three-year arrangement he views as below market value, the minimum term allowed for sign-and-trade deals under NBA rules.
Sources added that the Lakers and Hawks have not held substantive talks on a proposal that would send Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2032 first-round pick swap to Atlanta. Cleveland remains interested, and additional bidders could surface if negotiations drag on.
Salary limitations
The Lakers are constrained by the salary-matching requirements of an over-the-cap sign-and-trade. For example, a package involving Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht would limit Kuminga’s first-year salary to $17,701,080—below the approximately $20 million he is seeking—while also relying on Atlanta or a third team to absorb the outgoing contracts.
Recent precedent
This marks the second consecutive offseason in which Kuminga’s free agency could extend into the fall; his previous contract with Golden State was not finalized until September 30, 2025.
Other wing additions
While pursuing Kuminga, Los Angeles has added depth on the perimeter by signing Matisse Thybulle to a one-year deal and bringing in Ziaire Williams. Neither player is expected to start.
Source: Lakers Nation
