The Lakers and Hawks are still talking about a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade. That’s wild, because Kuminga and his agent are inexplicably balking at a deal that would guarantee him tens of millions of dollars. Yeah, you read that right. This whole situation has turned into a total ordeal, especially after the messiness at the very top of the Lakers took serious attention away from Kuminga’s watch. Absolutely nothing has happened.
Atlanta’s Luxury Tax Tightrope and Player Glut
This isn’t new territory. Earlier this summer, these same Lakers-Hawks sign-and-trade talks stalled for good reason: Atlanta is not looking to add salary. They sit a razor-thin $3.8 million below the luxury tax line, and Kuminga currently counts as zero for them. Why would they take on more money without a serious incentive like a quality draft pick? The Lakers, unsurprisingly, would not go there. Atlanta’s also got 17 players under contract heading into training camp. They need to shed at least two guys, not stack more. Previously, Jared Vanderbilt ($12.4 million) was in the conversation. Now, the new name floating around, according to Kurt Helin on NBC Sports, is guard Jaden Hardy ($6 million this season). Hardy has a team option for next season, making him an effectively expiring deal. Atlanta might be intrigued by getting some draft compensation, even second-round picks, rather than losing him for nothing. But it’s an uphill battle when Atlanta’s firm stance is against taking on more guaranteed money or players.
Kuminga’s Mysterious Gamble and the Deadlock
Honestly, the biggest head-scratcher here isn’t even the Hawks’ luxury tax tightrope or their overflowing roster. It’s Jonathan Kuminga himself and his agent. They are out there trying to find money on the market that flat-out doesn’t exist. With the Cavs swooping in for Peyton Watson, one of Kuminga’s potential suitors is off the board. So, what are Kuminga’s actual options? It truly boils down to two paths: join the Lakers on a multi-year deal via this sign-and-trade, or, presumably, pack his bags for the Wolves on the minimum. Why are they inexplicably balking at a guaranteed multi-million dollar deal from the Lakers? It’s genuinely difficult to understand what the Lakers and Hawks are even negotiating about right now, unless the Lakers are surprisingly super interested in Hardy, which is “unlikely.” Unless one of these teams has a secret third team lined up, that’s going to remain the next monster hurdle in this escalating “ordeal.”
Let’s be real. It feels pretty pointless to even talk about or ponder these complex trade possibilities when Kuminga and his agent are reportedly going to twiddle their thumbs and continue talking about some new team they might sign with instead of the Lakers. This whole thing is in a serious, frustrating deadlock, and until Kuminga’s side decides to get real about the money on the table, don’t expect any fireworks. We’re all just watching the clock.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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