The Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes are starting to take shape, and the Lakers are still very much in the mix.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Los Angeles has kept in contact with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, and has even nudged its offer upward in recent days. The pitch from Rob Pelinka has been clear: Kuminga would matter to what the Lakers are building around Doncic, he’d have a likely starting role, and the move could help his career. Even so, Kuminga and Turner haven’t rushed to accept, believing better options could surface as the rest of the offseason plays out.
Atlanta is still part of the conversation, but only loosely. Slater reported that there is a path for Kuminga to return to the Hawks on a more team-friendly deal than the $24.3 million option they declined, though a reunion is not actively being discussed.
That’s a notable wrinkle after a busy stretch for Atlanta. The Hawks acquired Kuminga at the trade deadline with Buddy Hield in the deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis away.
Kuminga quickly became a major piece off the bench, emerging as Atlanta’s best reserve and turning in strong playoff outings. His two best postseason performances came in Hawks wins over the Knicks.
Atlanta also reportedly shopped him ahead of the NBA Draft, then waited until the deadline to make the call on his option before declining it and pushing him into unrestricted free agency.
Kuminga now sits near the top of the free-agent board, outside of LeBron James. He’s not a perfect fit for every team, but his time in Atlanta showed why so many teams are interested: the talent is obvious, and there may still be more to unlock.
The Lakers remain the most talked-about destination, but getting there won’t be simple. A sign-and-trade with the Hawks looks like the most realistic route, unless Kuminga is willing to take a major discount to land in Los Angeles. That possibility can’t be ruled out, but it doesn’t appear to be the likeliest path.
And even if Kuminga wants the Lakers, Atlanta doesn’t have to play along. Onsi Saleh and the Hawks’ front office would need a deal that makes sense for them, not just one that works for Kuminga.
The Lakers’ roster complicates things further. Players recently signed are off limits in a sign-and-trade, and it’s hard to imagine Atlanta coveting Adou Thiero, Bronny James, Cameron Carr, Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, or Jake LaRavia in a package.
That’s why a discount may be the cleanest way for Kuminga to get to Los Angeles.
The same basic issue applies elsewhere. Cleveland can only get Kuminga through a sign-and-trade, but the Cavaliers are waiting on decisions from LeBron James and then James Harden. Milwaukee has the money for Kuminga, but not the roster space.
For Atlanta, the challenge is obvious. Kuminga had his highs and lows with the Hawks, but the team doesn’t really have a way to replace his production, athleticism, and upside.
There’s also a roster crunch to sort through: the Hawks currently have 16 standard contracts, and while NBA teams can carry up to 20 in the summer, they must get down to 15 before the season. If Atlanta gets serious about bringing Kuminga back, it would need to open at least two spots.
For now, the story stays open. The Lakers are pushing, the Hawks haven’t closed the door, and Kuminga’s next move is one of the offseason’s biggest questions.
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Hawks Suddenly Hold Real Leverage In Growing Jonathan Kuminga Trade Talks
The Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes have started to get more interesting for Atlanta, even if the Hawks are not yet the obvious landing spot. The Lakers are reportedly exploring a sign-and-trade for the Warriors forward, with Dalton Knecht mentioned as part of the conversation, and Atlanta could wind up involved if the deal turns into a broader three-team framework. For a Hawks front office that has been willing to stay active around the margins, that at least creates the possibility of turning a star-chasing negotiation into something that benefits their own roster-building plans.
Nothing is close to being finalized, and the whole situation still sits in the speculative stage, but the Hawks suddenly have a seat near the center of the table. Lakers executive Rob Pelinka has already been in contact with Kumingas agent, and Los Angeles has enough contracts and draft capital to keep working different angles. If Atlanta is going to facilitate anything, it will need to make sense on its own terms, which is where the real leverage comes in. [Read more 🡒]
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Kris Risacher is still on the roster despite the trade chatter that swirled around him, and the new mix around him could end up mattering more than any single move. The bigger question now is whether Atlanta has actually created the kind of environment that helps him settle in and grow, or whether the Hawks are still one unresolved roster decision away from changing the whole conversation again. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks May Be Watching One Last Impact Move Slip Away
The Hawks have been linked to Trey Murphy III as they continue searching for ways to add another impact piece around their core, but the path to getting him looks increasingly narrow. New Orleans has every reason to value a versatile wing like Murphy, and Atlantas interest has run into the kind of trade market reality that usually slows these conversations before they get serious.
Murphys price tag is part of the problem, and the Pelicans front office is also operating with an eye on future assets and flexibility. If New Orleans keeps leaning in that direction, Atlanta may simply have to move on and look for a more realistic upgrade elsewhere, even if Murphy had been the type of swing worth monitoring. [Read more 🡒]