​According to Khobi Price of the California Post, the Atlanta Hawks are open to pursuing a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Hawks made Kuminga an unrestricted free agent by declining his team option for next season, and they acquired the forward from the Golden State Warriors last season. Price notes that a source in the Post says the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around a framework that would send Kuminga to Los Angeles while Atlanta receives Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap—the only first-round pick the Lakers can trade this summer. In addition, Los Angeles has three second-round picks available for potential trade.
Kuminga has expressed openness to signing with the Lakers, a team that will need a starting wing after losing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura. In 16 regular-season appearances with the Hawks last season, Kuminga posted averages of 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He played a key role in helping Atlanta secure the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2026 playoffs, though the Hawks were eliminated by the New York Knicks in six games in the first round. During that six-game series, Kuminga averaged 13.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Across his career, Kuminga holds averages of 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He was part of the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship run, defeating the Boston Celtics.
This offseason, the Hawks have been busy. They re-signed CJ McCollum and Jock Landale, and they acquired Devin Carter from the Sacramento Kings and Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the 2026 NBA Draft, Atlanta selected Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and Henri Veesaar. The organization appears to be building toward a bright future with players like Jalen Johnson, McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels contributing to the team in the wake of Trae Young.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater recently reported that Kuminga could return to the Hawks under a more team-friendly structure than the current $24.3 million option they just declined, though such a reunion isn’t being actively discussed at the moment. Kuminga’s restricted free agency with the Warriors stretched out last summer, making his next move as an unrestricted free agent an awaited development this off-season. The Hawks’ Roundtable community is also inviting fans to join their platform for discussions about all things Hawks, with a call to action to join the conversation through the site’s top-page “Join” option.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the potential Kuminga-to-Hawks scenario remains a topic of active speculation among fans and analysts. If a sign-and-trade with the Lakers comes together, it would hinge on the Lakers’ willingness to part with a 2032 first-round pick swap and the Hawks’ readiness to absorb Kuminga’s contract and potential development trajectory. For now, Kuminga’s future and the exact framework of any possible trade will continue to be pursued by teams and insiders, with the Hawks positioned as a viable destination given their cap flexibility, depth, and ongoing parade of young talents.
If you’re a dedicated Hawks fan eager for ongoing discussion, consider joining the Hawks Roundtable, a fan community and message board that welcomes new members to chat about all things Atlanta basketball. You can click the “Join” button at the top of the page to become part of the community for free and share your perspectives on Kuminga, potential sign-and-trade scenarios, and the broader outlook for Atlanta in the post-Trae Young era.