The Lakers could not complete a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade because the Hawks were unwilling to take on Jarred Vanderbilt’s $13.29 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
The Los Angeles Lakers may need to find a different trade structure to complete a potential sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga.
The Lakers and Atlanta Hawks previously discussed a deal that would have sent Kuminga to Los Angeles, as first reported by Khobi Price of the California Post
The proposed framework included Jarred Vanderbilt and a Lakers first-round pick swap in 2032 heading to Atlanta.
However, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that the Hawks have been reluctant to take on Vanderbilt's contract, particularly his $13.29 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
Vanderbilt contract creates obstacle
Vanderbilt would provide Atlanta with a versatile defensive forward, but his future salary commitment has complicated negotiations.
The 27-year-old is under contract through the 2027-28 campaign, with the final season controlled by a player option. Atlanta's resistance to absorbing that salary appears to have prevented the original framework from gaining traction.
That could force the Lakers to search for another team willing to take Vanderbilt or reconsider which players they include in the deal.
Credit AP-Scanpix
Knecht and Hardy could offer more flexibility
One potential alternative could involve Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy in a three-team construction.
Both players have team options for the 2027-28 season, giving an acquiring team greater control and flexibility than Vanderbilt's player option.
Under such a structure, Kuminga would land with the Lakers, while the Hawks could receive draft compensation and potentially generate a traded player exception rather than taking back Vanderbilt's longer-term salary.
However, that possibility remains hypothetical, and it is unclear whether Los Angeles could find a third team willing to absorb Knecht, Hardy, or both.
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