Jonathan Kuminga remains one of the biggest unresolved names of the NBA offseason, prompting a massive hypothetical trade proposal involving the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers.
Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman of Sports Illustrated constructed a three-team sign-and-trade that would send Kuminga to Sacramento on a proposed three-year, $60 million contract while also moving several established stars and young players.
Importantly, the proposal is entirely hypothetical, with no indication that the three teams have discussed such a deal.
Proposed trade framework
Atlanta would receive:
Jrue Holiday
Portland would receive:
Domantas Sabonis
Keegan Murray
Corey Kispert
Devin Carter
Sacramento's 2027 first-round pick via San Antonio
2029 first-round pick swap with Atlanta
Two second-round picks
Sacramento would receive:
Jonathan Kuminga
Buddy Hield
Shaedon Sharpe
Scoot Henderson
Yang Hansen
Micah Potter
Portland's 2028 first-round pick via Orlando
Kings would completely reshape roster around Darius Acuff Jr.
The premise of the proposal would be for Sacramento to accelerate its rebuild around Darius Acuff Jr. by moving Sabonis and Murray while taking multiple swings on younger talent.
Kuminga, Sharpe and Henderson would give the Kings three young players with significant upside, while Sacramento would also remove some longer-term money from its books.
Portland, meanwhile, would consolidate several guards and wings into Sabonis and Murray. Sabonis could serve as an offensive hub alongside Ja Morant, while Murray would add another two-way forward to the Blazers' roster.
Atlanta's side would be simpler, turning Kuminga into Holiday, a veteran guard with championship experience who could provide another ball-handler and high-level perimeter defender.
However, Holiday's age and contract would be a significant consideration for a Hawks team that has positioned itself to potentially create considerable financial flexibility next summer.
Lakers remain one of strongest real-world links to Kuminga
While the three-team proposal is speculative, Kuminga has generated genuine interest from several teams this summer.
ESPN's Anthony Slater reported that the Lakers have been among the most active teams in Kuminga's market.
General manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick met virtually with the 23-year-old shortly after Atlanta declined his team option, pitching him on playing significant minutes alongside Luka Doncic.
Members of the Lakers organization, including players, also reached out to Kuminga about joining Los Angeles, while Pelinka remained in contact with agent Aaron Turner and gradually improved the team's offer.
The Lakers have presented a potential starting role and the opportunity to rebuild his market value as major selling points.
Los Angeles' financial situation has complicated a straightforward signing after the team used most of its flexibility on Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.
That has made a sign-and-trade one of the most realistic paths to Kuminga.
More recently, NBA reporter Evan Sidery reported that the Lakers still view Kuminga as their preferred starting wing and top remaining free-agent target.
Cavaliers and Kings have also shown actual interest
Cleveland has also been consistently connected to Kuminga.
ESPN previously reported that both the Cavaliers and Kings had shown interest in acquiring him, meaning Sacramento's inclusion in the hypothetical proposal is not completely disconnected from Kuminga's actual market.
The Cavaliers have recently increased their financial flexibility by trading Dennis Schroder to Charlotte. Cleveland continues to explore additions at forward, with both Kuminga and restricted free agent Peyton Watson on its radar.
However, Watson appears to be the more prominent Cleveland target at the moment, while the Lakers continue to prioritize Kuminga.
Kuminga became an unrestricted free agent after Atlanta declined his team option following the 2025-26 season. The Hawks acquired him and Buddy Hield from Golden State in February in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.
He averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16 regular-season games with Atlanta before producing 13.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game during the Hawks' first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.
The former No. 7 overall pick spent his first five NBA seasons with Golden State, averaging 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds and winning an NBA championship as a rookie in 2022.