The Los Angeles Lakers' pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga appears to be gaining momentum, although completing a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks may require at least one additional team.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, sign-and-trade discussions between the Lakers and Hawks involving Kuminga are "picking up steam."
Atlanta, however, remains unwilling to take on Jarred Vanderbilt's contract. As a result, Los Angeles is reportedly searching for facilitators willing to acquire Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht as part of a broader transaction.
Under the framework described by Sidery, the Lakers would also send draft capital to Atlanta.
Lakers searching for teams to take Hardy and Knecht
The primary complication appears to be finding a workable salary structure that satisfies Atlanta.
The Hawks have remained resistant to taking Vanderbilt ($12.4M), forcing Los Angeles to explore alternative ways of moving enough salary to complete Kuminga's sign-and-trade.
Hardy and Knecht have now emerged as potential outgoing pieces, but rather than necessarily being sent to Atlanta, the Lakers are looking for other teams willing to absorb them.
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That could turn a relatively straightforward sign-and-trade into a multi-team transaction in which Atlanta receives draft compensation without having to take back players it does not want.
Los Angeles has been attempting to move Knecht and Vanderbilt throughout the offseason while searching for an upgrade on the wing, with Sidery previously reporting that both were being actively shopped.
Hardy, meanwhile, joined the Lakers earlier this offseason in the trade that sent Deandre Ayton to Washington.
Kuminga market reportedly down to Lakers, Timberwolves
The latest development comes after Sidery reported that Los Angeles and the Minnesota Timberwolves had emerged as the finalists for Kuminga.
Both teams are prepared to offer the 23-year-old a starting role, but the financial opportunities are substantially different.
Minnesota can only offer Kuminga a minimum contract, while the Lakers can provide a considerably larger salary if they are able to complete a sign-and-trade with Atlanta.
Previous reports have also identified Los Angeles as Kuminga's preferred destination.
Kuminga coming off season split between Warriors, Hawks
Kuminga spent the 2025-26 campaign between Golden State and Atlanta.
The former No. 7 overall pick appeared in 36 regular-season games overall, averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.1 minutes while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.
After joining Atlanta, Kuminga averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 16 appearances while shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc.
He has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 294 regular-season games during his five-year NBA career.