Jonathan Kuminga wants a one-year contract if he is taking less money, and that single demand is throwing a massive wrench into the Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of the athletic forward. Reports have flown around about why a sign-and-trade deal hasn’t worked out yet for the 23-year-old, but NBA insider Keith Smith just dropped the truth: Kuminga doesn’t want to lock himself into a multi-year deal if he’s not getting his desired annual salary.
Kuminga’s Demand Has L.A. Completely Stuck
This isn’t just a negotiating tactic, it’s a full-blown roadblock. See, NBA rules say a sign-and-trade deal *requires* a three-year contract. Kuminga is reportedly looking for somewhere in the area of $20 million a year, possibly even $25 million! That’s a steep price for someone with “multiple red flags,” as the source notes. Smith put it plainly: “If he’s gonna take less money than what he wants, then he only wants to do it for a year.” That literally means he “doesn’t want to do a three-year deal” and get “stuck” on a smaller contract that “devalues himself.” The guy knows his worth, or at least what he thinks his worth is, and he’s not budging on the contract length if the money isn’t right.
L.A. Has No Cap Space and Cleveland Is Circling
The Lakers are in an absolute bind here. They’ve got zero salary cap space, so without a sign-and-trade, the only offer they could even make Kuminga is a veteran minimum contract. Seriously? That’s not happening when he’s asking for $20-25 million! Plus, they already have 16 players on the roster. To sign Kuminga outright, they’d have to shed two players before the regular season kicks off. The Atlanta Hawks are apparently ready to deal, willing to take Jarred Vanderbilt and some draft compensation from L.A. That’s a reasonable package from the Hawks’ side, which means the hold-up really is on Kuminga’s end, “where he wants a little bit more money,” Smith adds. And guess who just missed out on LeBron James and is now looking to make a splash? The Cleveland Cavaliers. They reportedly have more attractive trade assets than the Lakers and even have their taxpayer mid-level exception of roughly $6 million, which they could use to sign Kuminga outright without giving up any assets. This is getting ugly for L.A.
Red Flags and Rival Threats: The Real Kuminga Problem
Let’s be real, Kuminga isn’t without his issues. His “attitude, mindset and focus” have made him an inconsistent defender through his five NBA seasons, and he’s usually a lacking three-point shooter. These are legit concerns. But his natural ability and potential are just undeniable. The Lakers clearly think they can “unlock the best version of him,” but are they willing to pay top dollar and navigate this contract minefield to do it? With Cleveland now hovering, the pressure is on. This isn’t just about money; it’s about whether the Lakers can convince Kuminga to commit to a multi-year deal that he clearly doesn’t want right now, especially when another team can scoop him up without giving up any players. What a mess!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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