​ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 01: Jonathan Kuminga, wearing #0 for the Atlanta Hawks, dunks over the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on March 01, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. Note to user: By downloading or using this photograph, you acknowledge and agree to the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Jonathan Kuminga remains the Lakers’ primary target on the wing as Los Angeles investigates sign-and-trade pathways and other roster-building moves to reshape the team around Luka Dončić. Since the start of July, the Lakers have undergone a tumultuous series of changes that have reshaped their outlook for the 2026 offseason. LeBron James departed the franchise after eight seasons, Rui Hachimura moved to the cross-town rivals, and Marcus Smart joined Houston while Luke Kennard left for Phoenix. In exchange, the Lakers added Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton. The exits of James and Hachimura created a void on the wings, elevating Kuminga, the 23-year-old two-way talent, to a central offseason priority for the franchise.
Capital constraints are a reality for Los Angeles, and adding multiple free agents would rapidly deplete their cap space. With Sexton’s signing now official, the Lakers no longer have the flexibility to sign Kuminga to a straightforward $10 million-per-year deal, according to Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkland. “That two-year, $20 million offer for Kuminga is off the table. At this point, a sign-and-trade would be necessary,” Starkland stated on X. Starkland notes that the Lakers can only land Kuminga through a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Atlanta Hawks unless the team can shed additional salary to gain the power to sign him outright.
Lakers Nation’s Trevor Lane echoed that assessment: “The Lakers are above the cap now with the Collin Sexton signing, which means they aren’t going to shed salary to increase spending power. If they want to add another piece to this roster, it will have to come via trade or veteran minimum signing.” In practical terms, the path to Kuminga at this stage likely runs through a sign-and-trade with Atlanta, with the caveat that Kuminga must be willing to join the Lakers under the terms of a potential deal.
The broader context is that Jonathan Kuminga represents a high-upside wing with two-way capabilities that could significantly bolster Los Angeles’ perimeter defense, shooting, and counterpunch potential on the wing. If the Hawks are amenable to cooperating with a sign-and-trade arrangement, Kuminga’s inclusion could unlock a more robust Lakers rotation and provide a more versatile option on the wing to pair with Dončić. However, for Kuminga to make the move, he would need to buy into the terms of the agreement and feel confident in the projected role and the winning trajectory of the Lakers.
From a strategic standpoint, Kuminga’s potential arrival would serve as a meaningful upgrade for Los Angeles’ defense and floor-spacing dynamic. The prospect of a Kuminga signing-and-trade would also send a signal about the Lakers’ willingness to pursue aggressive, win-now solutions, even amid a constrained salary cap situation. The deal would require careful negotiation to ensure the Hawks receive meaningful assets in return and that Kuminga’s contract aligns with the team’s longer-term salary structure and championship window.
In the meantime, the Hawks’ openness to engaging in a sign-and-trade for Kuminga suggests a willingness to explore mutually beneficial arrangements that could help both teams achieve their offseason objectives. Kuminga’s agent and the Hawks would need to finalize the framework, with Kuminga evaluating his options and determining whether the Lakers’ pathway offers the best chance to maximize his value and contribute to a contending team.
If Kuminga ultimately signs with another team through a different pathway, the sting for the Lakers would be substantial. Yet the current landscape indicates that the door remains ajar for a trade-based route, with the Hawks and Lakers positioned to explore a structured sign-and-trade that aligns with Kuminga’s expectations and the teams’ strategic priorities. As developments unfold, Los Angeles will likely continue to pursue every viable avenue to add a dynamic wing who can grow within their system and help propel the franchise toward a competitive championship pursuit in the coming season.