Lakers hit with horrendous Jonathan Kuminga sign and trade update amid ongoing negotiations originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the entire summer reshaping their roster and beginning a new era for the organization. For the first time in almost a decade, LA will be without LeBron James.

The Lakers have spent the offseason adding several new faces to the roster while searching for a power forward. That is one of the reasons LA has been interested in Jonathan Kuminga since June.

“There is mutual free agent interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers, per Jovan Buha. Los Angeles continues to work behind the scenes to secure Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

The Lakers have not had any luck landing Kuminga. If it isn't the NBA champion rejecting a deal, it is the Atlanta Hawks rejecting a potential sign-and-trade package. LA has already made a contract offer to Kuminga over the course of the summer.

“The Lakers have offered Jonathan Kuminga a contract via sign-and-trade that would pay him around $45 million. Los Angeles is willing to send Jarred Vanderbilt alongside draft capital to the Hawks for Kuminga, who must sign at least a three-year deal in sign-and-trade agreements," Sidery wrote.

In order to acquire Kuminga, the Lakers have to open up a roster spot. However, no team has been willing to take on Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract, meaning there is no way for a sign-and-trade to get done right now.

“The Lakers have been unsuccessful in finding a facilitator to take on Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract, which would help Jonathan Kuminga join via sign-and-trade. The Hawks are over the roster limit, plus teams are requiring LA to relinquish their remaining valuable draft capital,” Sidery posted.

While the Lakers may be the only team that makes sense for Kuminga right now, this is not where they want to be. If they cannot find a way to move a player, there is no way LA can complete a sign-and-trade for Kuminga.

The Kuminga saga has now lasted for two months and is likely to continue until the Lakers can put together an offer that another team cannot refuse. With both the Lakers and Hawks facing roster-limit issues, completing a deal has become an even more difficult process.

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