Report: Lakers, Hawks discussing possible Jonathan Kuminga deal again

The Los Angeles Lakers apparently haven’t given up on their attempts to land Jonathan Kuminga. They started to pursue him early this summer when NBA free agency officially began, and they reportedly offered him a starting job.

However, Kuminga is apparently asking for a hefty contract, and the Lakers were apparently unable to come to terms with the Atlanta Hawks on a sign-and-trade deal for the 23-year-old forward.

Now, the two teams are reportedly talking again, and according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, the talks are now centering around guard Jaden Hardy, whom the Lakers acquired earlier this summer when they traded center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards.

“The Lakers and Hawks are talking sign-and-trade again, with guard Jaden Hardey reportedly in the conversation (he makes $6 million this season), while previously that was Jared Vanderbilt ($12.4 million).”

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“The Lakers and Hawks are talking sign-and-trade again, with guard Jaden Hardey reportedly in the conversation (he makes $6 million this season), while previously that was Jared Vanderbilt ($12.4 million).”

Helin also wrote that Kuminga “reportedly likes the idea of playing for the Lakers.” The Minnesota Timberwolves are thought to be the other team that is seriously interested in Kuminga right now.

The forward has spent five seasons in the NBA, and while he has plenty of athleticism and overall potential, he has failed to realize much of that potential to this point. His 3-point shooting has been mostly subpar, and while he has the raw potential to become a very good defender, his execution on that end of the floor has been inconsistent.

The Golden State Warriors, who took Kuminga with the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, traded him to Atlanta midway through last season. Warriors coach Steve Kerr benched him multiple times prior to that midseason trade.