Lakers’ Jonathan Kuminga Deal Hanging in the Balance

The Los Angeles Lakers have made it no mystery that they are interested in Jonathan Kuminga, but as time passes, a move for him looks unlikely.

According to Anthony Slater of ESPN, talks between the Lakers, Kuminga, and the Hawks have not materialized into a deal despite an offer being on the table.

“It has reached the second month of what has become a second consecutive prolonged Kuminga free agency process,” Slater reports. “The Lakers met with Kuminga in the early hours of free agency, pitching him on a high-minutes role for a high-profile fringe contender in desperate need of athletic help on the wing.

“The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn’t satisfy all sides. The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks.”

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Apr 25, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) tries to keep the ball in bounds behind New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the second half during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The Lakers’ offer to the Hawks has been on the table for a while now, hoping to avoid including a first-round pick swap in the deal and instead add second-round picks alongside one of their fringe player deals.

However, it has not unlocked enough money to make Kuminga happy, while the Hawks want more to sign Kuminga to a notable contract.

While the Lakers have been the team most interested in Kuminga in free agency and for the longest time, other teams are interested as well.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves are also suitors, but at this point, like the Lakers, they have not put together a good offer.

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Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) is defended by New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The Lakers will still hold out for Kuminga to change his mind until another move develops. There are other options for the Lakers — Klay Thompson and PJ Washington standing out as the most talked about ones.

The Dallas Mavericks may buy out Thompson, opening him up to sign as a free agent. He has one year left on his deal and came off the bench most of last year.

Washington, on the other hand, may be surplus to requirements — leaving him as a big-contract veteran that could be traded to free up space.

He still has three years left on a deal that will pay him roughly $22 million a season.

The Lakers could offer some expiring contracts, including some draft picks, to take it off the Mavs’ hands and give Doncic a familiar face.

Unless either option develops, the Lakers will end up hanging around for Kuminga, but as time goes on, the team will wonder if it is worth waiting on a player who is not totally committed to the team’s vision.