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Los Angeles Lakers fans should get used to the franchise being involved in informative sign-and-trade rumors with Jonathan Kuminga and the Atlanta Hawks.
Kuminga is undoubtedly the Lakers’ top free agent target. According to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, the ex-Golden State Warriors NBA champion could find himself securing a three-year deal or better with Los Angeles via sign-and-trade (Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2032 pick swap would have to be featured in the deal, but the Lakers might have to locate another team willing to take Vanderbilt off their hands, per The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer).
Interestingly, though, Deveney noted that the free agent market likely won’t improve until former Los Angeles Lakers phenomenon LeBron James chooses his next destination.
“The expectation is that James will decide this week, and that should free up the market for the rest of the top players,” Deveney wrote Sunday. “Among those top players is Jonathan Kuminga, who is still expected to land with the Lakers, though it is a matter of when and how–and how much money he gets.”
“A sign-and-trade would require that Kuminga gets at least three years, though there can be options and non-guarantees after the first year. That’s most likely how this plays out–Kuminga might want to be able to get back into free agency if he plays well next season.”
The Lakers’ ability to get on the same page with Kuminga and the Hawks will be pivotal in the next stage of their relentless pursuit. Ensuring Atlanta receives the assets they’re seeking and Kuminga lands the contract he believes he deserves as part of a sign-and-trade will help the operation run smoothly going forward.
The 17-time NBA champions can’t behave as though they’re the only team competing in the Kuminga sweepstakes, as it’s well documented that the Cleveland Cavaliers view the former lottery pick as an intriguing young pro who could fit well alongside Donovan Mitchell in the immediate and foreseeable future.
Simply put, operating with a sense of urgency is the best approach the Lakers could take going forward.
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