The Hawks' acquisition of Lu Dort reportedly ended their interest in absorbing Jarred Vanderbilt, forcing the Lakers to find another facilitator to complete a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade.
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly encountered another obstacle in their pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Atlanta Hawks are no longer interested in facilitating a sign-and-trade that would send Jarred Vanderbilt to Atlanta.
The previously discussed framework would have used the Hawks as a third team to absorb Vanderbilt's contract, allowing Los Angeles to create the financial path needed to acquire Kuminga.
Atlanta, however, has now reportedly withdrawn its interest in that structure.
Lu Dort acquisition changes Hawks' plans
The Hawks' stance comes after they acquired Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team trade involving the Dallas Mavericks.
Atlanta received Dort and Ryan Nembhard while sending former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas and multiple second-round picks to Oklahoma City.
Dort is set to earn $17.7 million next season after Oklahoma City exercised his team option before completing the trade. His arrival adds another significant salary to Atlanta's books while also strengthening the Hawks' wing rotation.
That move has seemingly removed Atlanta as a realistic destination for Vanderbilt, whose defense and versatility would have overlapped with some of the qualities Dort brings.
Credit Scanpix
Lakers need new facilitator for Kuminga deal
Should the Lakers remain committed to adding Kuminga, they will now need to identify another team willing to absorb Vanderbilt's contract.
According to Sidery, Los Angeles would likely have to attach draft compensation to convince a new facilitator to participate in the sign-and-trade.
Vanderbilt remains one of the Lakers' most useful salary-matching pieces, but finding a team willing to take on his contract without sending meaningful salary back has become the central challenge.
The Lakers have continued exploring ways to add a starting-level forward alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, with Kuminga viewed as one of their primary options.
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