The Pros and Cons of The Hawks Signing-and-Trading Jonathan Kuminga to the Lakers

If the Hawks were to sign-and-trade Kuminga to the Lakers, what would be the benefits for Atlanta?

Mar 1, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The options for Jonathan Kuminga are dwindling after the big sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson finally happened last week.

Two of the prominent teams that were mentioned for Kuminga were the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers, but with Cleveland making the big move for Watson and the Clippers taking on Max Strus, both teams are likely out of the running for Kuminga, though the Clippers have more financial wiggle room than the Cavaliers do after the move.

The team that has been connected to Kuminga the most has been the Los Angeles Lakers. There were heavy discussions between Kuminga and Los Angeles in early July, and it seemed like a deal could happen, but nothing came to fruition. Both the Atlanta Hawks and the Lakers are in the same positions as they were then, and with the options for Kuminga disappearing, Los Angeles seems like a strong option and maybe even the favorite to land him.

Let's break down the pros and cons of a potential Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade to Los Angeles.

Pros- Could acquire valuable pick capital, open a trade exception, or trade unwanted salary

Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) drives on New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) in the third quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The key thing to know about a sign-and-trade from the Hawks perspective is that they are only going to agree to a deal if it benefits them. Like a normal trade, Atlanta is not going to make a deal to make a deal or make a deal to ensure Kuminga gets to where he wants to go.

If the Hawks could find a way to not take back any long-term money from the Lakers, such as the previously rumored Jarred Vanderbilt package the Lakers were offering, and rope in a third team, they could sign-and-trade Kuminga to the Lakers and open up a nice trade exception that would allow the Hawks to acquire a player either before the trade deadline or sometime next offseason. A multi-team trade could also allow the Hawks to shed some unwanted salary and get their roster to the regular season limit of 15. Players such as Corey Kispert or Buddy Hield could be on the move, though the Hawks may have to attach draft capital to move Kispert.

The 2032 first-round pick swap the Lakers could offer might be valuable down the line. If the Lakers have Luka Doncic, that pick is likely not going to be very valuable, but if he were to leave (you never know), all of a sudden the Hawks have a nice trade chip they could use for a player.

Cons- Lakers don't hold valuable trade pieces

Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) reaches for the ball against the Houston Rockets in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If the Lakers had something the Hawks valued highly, a deal likely would have been done by now.

Whether it is available players on their roster or draft picks, the Lakers have virtually none that would make the Hawks eager to do a deal. Los Angeles seems to want to move either Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, or Jake LaRavia, but with the Hawks over the roster limit already and none of those players able to make a difference for them, it would not make sense to add them.

Bottom Line

If more teams could be added to the deal, I think something could come together for both the Hawks and the Lakers, but I don't think a two-team deal seems likely. The Lakers don't have anything that would make Atlanta eager to do a deal and the Hawks won't make any deal unless they view it as advantageous to them.

Kuminga's free agency continues on and there is no definite end in sight, but the Lakers seem like the most likely option if a deal could be worked out.