Lakers trade pitch involves four other teams and finally lands Jonathan Kuminga originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the Los Angeles Lakers to land Jonathan Kuminga at this point, it feels like a third team will definitely be involved. It's a bit interesting that we're now in the middle of August and that Kuminga has yet to be traded by the Atlanta Hawks.
The expectation in the league is that he will be involved in a sign-and-trade deal, with the Lakers among the multiple teams interested in his services.
The only problem for Los Angeles is that it doesn't have a whole ton of assets to make something that would intrigue Atlanta.
In a recent trade proposal, however, four teams would be involved, giving the Lakers a much better chance to get involved in a deal like this.
Lakers would receive: Jonathan Kuminga ($18M per season sign-and-trade)
Hawks would receive: 2032 first-round pick swap (via LAL)
Bulls would receive: Dalton Knecht, 2027 second-round pick (via ATL)
Nets would receive: Jake LaRavia, 2032 second-round pick (via WAS), 2033 second-round pick (via LAL), Mouhamed Gueye, cash considerations
“Athleticism on the wings and a potential starting small forward, but with minimal risk. Although the Lakers are obligated to sign Kuminga to a three-year deal (per CBA rules), they can add provisions to non-guarantee to the second and third years. They’d essentially be luring Kuminga with an annual salary of $18M, a price that none of his other suitors are willing to offer, including the Cavaliers.
“If things go south, they can simply waive the Congolese forward next year or try to move him at the trade deadline,” Sai Mohan wrote.
There would be a lot going on here, but the bigger thing would be the Lakers moving on from Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, and some draft picks. The Lakers, who have reportedly put both players in trade talks, don't seem like they'd be too upset about moving on from either of them.
More NBA news:
- Spurs trade idea moves on from fan favorite veteran for $89M wing
- Lakers have reportedly recruited Jonathan Kuminga and have already given him this role
- Lakers get Klay Thompson update, and Mavericks are right to feel this way
- Lakers learn whether Jonathan Kuminga wants to play in Los Angeles
- Spurs trade idea brings in Stephen Curry and doesn’t move any young stars