Jonathan Kuminga is the talk of the town for the Los Angeles Lakers amid the mutual interest from both parties in getting a deal done. There is just one major problem. The Lakers are suddenly lacking in the type of significant funds that Kuminga reportedly desires in an offseason payday.
The good news? The Atlanta Hawks may be willing to help out Los Angeles by working on a sign-and-trade for the athletic forward. The even better news? That could involve the Lakers finally getting rid of Jarred Vanderbilt's unfavorable contract in the process. Khobi Price had the initial scoop.
"A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap."
Vanderbilt's money has been tough for the Lakers to dump, despite their reported desire to do so. If the Hawks are willing to play ball, Los Angeles would be able to not only land on the starting-caliber wing they have been seeking but also get rid of the Vando deal that has haunted their cap books. That would be two major wins for the franchise.
Lakers can have it all in a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade with the Hawks
The elephant in the room has to be addressed right off the bat. The cost is not worth ignoring. The Lakers would need to part with the last tradeable first-round asset they posses.
Even if it is just a pick swap, that would be the last bit of equity that Los Angeles holds in that department. Without acquiring first-round picks from another team, that will be heavy strain on the Lakers' future trade negotiations.
So, is the price worth it? If the Lakers truly believe in Kuminga, it should be.
The free agent forward is a divisive figure. One team, the Golden State Warriors, already gave up on him. Another squad appears ready to do so here. That could be a troubling sign of where his career is headed.
That sentiment is not one the Lakers can possibly agree with, though, given just how hard they have pursued him throughout the summer. Perhaps they have a vision for how Luka Doncic can maximize him that they are truly sold on.
If that is the case, it would be a fair gamble to sacrifice the last bit of first-round capital the Lakers currently posses to land him. That is especially true when it allows you to get off the money owed to Vanderbilt.
Without the latter, the risk versus the reward could be a touch too scary to flirt with here. Solving two problems at once adds a lot more justification for the Lakers to bank on.
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