Report: Lakers View Hawks Free Agent Jonathan Kuminga as Good Fit Next to Luka Doncic

By admin — In News — July 9, 2026

   ​According to Khobi Price of the California Post, the Atlanta Hawks are open to a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers view Kuminga as a fitting complement next to Luka Doncic, who led the NBA in both points per game and total points last season. A source told the California Post that part of the Lakers’ free-agent pitch to Kuminga involved presenting him as a high-level starting wing who would help complete the team’s roster construction around superstar guard Luka Doncic.
The Hawks made Kuminga an unrestricted free agent by declining his team option for next season, having acquired the forward from the Golden State Warriors last season. Kuminga is open to signing with the Lakers, a team in need of a starting wing after losing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura. In 16 regular-season appearances with Atlanta last season, Kuminga averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, contributing to the Hawks’ push into the 2026 playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed. The Hawks were eliminated by the New York Knicks in the first round, with Kuminga posting 13.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game over the six-game series. Across his career, Kuminga owns averages of 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, and he helped the Warriors win the 2022 championship against the Boston Celtics.
Atlanta has remained active this offseason. The Hawks re-signed CJ McCollum and Jock Landale, while also acquiring 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 franchise appears to be building toward a bright future with a core led by Jalen Johnson, McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels as it enters the post-Trae Young era.
Anthony Slater of ESPN recently noted that Kuminga could return to the Hawks on a structure more team-friendly than the $24.3 million option they declined, though such a reunion is not actively being discussed. Kuminga’s restricted free agency with the Warriors dragged on for an extended period last summer, so all eyes will be on how long his unrestricted free agency lasts this time around.
For Hawks fans who want to engage with the team and other supporters, Hawks Roundtable provides a dedicated fan community and message board. You’re invited to join the discussion by clicking the “Join” button at the top of the page to participate in conversations about all things Hawks. This summary is crafted to support better search engine optimization while delivering a comprehensive look at Kuminga’s potential fit with the Lakers and what it could mean for Atlanta’s plans.
As theNBA landscape evolves, Kuminga’s future remains a focal point of trade chatter and free-agent speculation. If a sign-and-trade between the Hawks and Lakers materializes, it could redefine both teams’ rosters and alter their trajectory in the upcoming seasons. Keep an eye on updates from Price, Slater, and other trusted reporters as negotiations unfold and more concrete terms emerge.  

Content Source: Yahoo News

Image Credit: Getty Images

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