​The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly open to accepting the Los Angeles Lakers’ sign-and-trade offer for Jonathan Kuminga. According to Khobi Price of The New York Post, there is mutual interest between Kuminga and the Lakers. In a report published Saturday, Price noted that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick met with Kuminga a day after the Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option, which would have made him an unrestricted free agent. At present, however, Los Angeles’ offers for Kuminga fall short, with initial talks starting around $10 million for next season.
Against this backdrop, Price reported that the Hawks are willing to pursue a sign-and-trade with the Lakers that would create more cap space and allow for a higher first-year offer for Kuminga. A source told the Post that the Hawks would be prepared to execute a sign-and-trade centered on Kuminga heading to L.A., while the Hawks would receive Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap—the Lakers’ only first-round swap option this summer. The Lakers also possess three second-round picks to potentially include in any deal. Vanderbilt’s contract next season is set at $12.4 million. In this scenario, the Lakers would have more than $20 million available to offer Kuminga, a figure that would be somewhat below the $23.8 million he earned last season but still far above what the Lakers could offer him in free agency without a trade.
Price reiterated that the Lakers have reportedly been open to trading Vanderbilt and other players to improve their cap flexibility and upgrade the roster. Vanderbilt could be among the first casualties, as he has frequently fallen out of favor with coach JJ Redick due to his limitations on offense. Given Vanderbilt’s sizable contract and the two years remaining, several teams would consider absorbing his salary if the Lakers attach additional draft picks.
In addition to the Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers have shown interest in Kuminga. The Cavaliers’ ultimate decision on pursuing Kuminga will hinge on LeBron James. If James decides not to rejoin his original franchise for a second time, the Cavaliers could pivot toward Kuminga to help address their frontcourt needs. Price cited a source indicating the Cavaliers have strong interest in Kuminga, and their connection is notable—Kuminga played under Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson when Atkinson was an assistant coach for the Warriors from 2021 to 2024. Yet the Cavaliers are also weighing a potential pursuit of LeBron James, who informed the Lakers last week that he would not return for a 24th season.
From a cap and trade perspective, the Cavaliers could clear space by moving more tradable contracts such as Max Strus and Dennis Schröder. Strus and Schröder are set to earn a combined $31.4 million, a figure capable of facilitating a more favorable deal for Kuminga if the Cavaliers choose to shift their priorities toward him. These dynamics underscore the fluid nature of Kuminga’s market, with multiple teams weighing their options and the possibility of a sign-and-trade that reshapes both Kuminga’s trajectory and the franchise plans around a potential Bam-like fit with new supporting pieces.