​Nearly two weeks into NBA free agency, Jonathan Kuminga remains unsigned, a forward whose raw athleticism and natural talent are undeniable even as questions linger about fit and fit potential. The Los Angeles Lakers have been pursuing him, hoping to land him on a two-year, $20 million deal, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times. That specific arrangement seems increasingly unlikely, given the evolving market and Kuminga’s own leverage as a young, versatile player with upside.
There has also been chatter about the Atlanta Hawks, Kuminga’s ex-team, potentially pursuing a sign-and-trade that would send forward Jarred Vanderbilt to the Hawks in exchange for Kuminga and a future first-round pick swap. Nevertheless, insider Jake Fischer has indicated that Atlanta has not seriously considered including Vanderbilt in such a deal. The rumor mill around Kuminga has been active, but no definitive path has emerged.
Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports suggested that the Kuminga situation could stretch into the period after LeBron James decides which team he’ll join, a decision that could come days or even longer in the future. Deveney noted that James’ choice is likely to unlock the market for other top players, including Kuminga, who remains linked most prominently to the Lakers but with several variables—how the Lakers structure a deal, whether a sign-and-trade is possible, and what Kuminga’s own preference might be for duration and security.
Among the other teams mentioned as potential fits for Kuminga is the Cleveland Cavaliers, a franchise with obvious ties to James and a leeway issue with salary cap space. If James lands with Cleveland, that decision could effectively tilt Kuminga toward the Lakers, given the Cavaliers’ limited financial flexibility and non-guaranteed futures. The dynamic remains fluid, with the Lakers already having settled many free-agent moves, including Austin Reaves’ new contract, which pushes the team over the salary cap. As a result, any arrangement that would bring Kuminga to Los Angeles would have to come via a sign-and-trade, rather than a straightforward free-agent signing.
In terms of on-court production, Kuminga posted averages of 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game during the previous season. His career arc is attractive: a former lottery pick who demonstrated flashes of dominance and a capacity to impact both ends of the floor when given opportunities. The Hawks acquired Kuminga in February in a broader deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State, alongside Buddy Hield in exchange for Porzingis. That move briefly altered Kuminga’s immediate surroundings, giving him a different role and a faster path to playoff-level competition.
As the market continues to unfold, the Lakers’ pursuit remains the most discussed scenario for Kuminga. A sign-and-trade would be the most probable remaining mechanism to land him without a standard free-agent signing, and it would likely require a three-year commitment at minimum, with the possibility of options and non-guarantees after the first year, depending on how the deal is structured. Kuminga might also consider the prospect of returning to free agency after a season’s performance if he feels he can leverage a stronger market on his next contract.
For now, Kuminga’s decision timeline remains tied, in part, to LeBron James’s status and the broader cap environment. The Lakers’ current cap situation, combined with the evolving market for top-tier free agents, means Kuminga’s path to a new team—and the value he can command—will be defined by a delicate balance of timing, contract structure, and the strategic choices of the teams pursuing him. As the basketball world awaits James’s decision, Kuminga’s next destination could hinge on that forthcoming clarity, with the Lakers as the most likely landing spot in a sign-and-trade scenario, unless another team presents a more favorable framework or a surprising pivot occurs.