Los Angeles Lakers pursue Jonathan Kuminga in sign‑and‑trade talks

Jonathan Kuminga, the 23‑year‑old former Golden State Warriors champion, is an unrestricted free agent after finishing the season with the Atlanta Hawks. The Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest in acquiring him via a sign‑and‑trade, but negotiations have stalled over his salary expectations and the draft compensation required by Atlanta, which holds his Bird rights. Kuminga is reported to be seeking between $15 million and $20 million per season, a figure the Lakers say exceeds their cap space, and Atlanta would need to approve any matching salary and additional assets.

The Lakers also face competition from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have indicated they could become a backup option if Kuminga’s price drops, and the Milwaukee Bucks have entered the chase. With limited draft picks left—only a 2032 first‑round swap and three tradable second‑rounders—the Lakers have yet to present an offer that satisfies both Kuminga’s demand and Atlanta’s compensation requirements.