A potential sign-and-trade involving Jonathan Kuminga and the Los Angeles Lakers is currently stalled due to the player's contract demands, according to NBA salary cap analyst Keith Smith.
The core of the impasse lies in Kuminga's desire to either secure a higher salary or commit to a shorter-term contract, which conflicts with the stipulations of a sign-and-trade agreement. "The challenge with Kuminga is that if he’s gonna take less money than what he wants, then he only wants to do it for a year," Smith explained. "He doesn’t want to do a three-year deal, and in order to do a sign-and-trade, he would have to have a three-year contract."
NBA rules mandate that a sign-and-trade contract must span a minimum of three seasons, though only the first year needs to be fully guaranteed. Kuminga, who became an unrestricted free agent after Atlanta declined his $24.3 million option for the 2026-27 season, appears willing to accept less money for a one-year deal to re-establish his market value. However, this scenario is incompatible with the sign-and-trade mechanism. "You can’t do a one-year deal on a sign-and-trade," Smith stated. "It has to be a minimum of a three-year deal, so that’s where it’s a little bit stuck."
The Lakers are reportedly discussing an annual salary in the range of $15 million to $16 million, while Kuminga is reportedly seeking between $20 million and $25 million per season for a multiyear agreement. The Lakers view the 23-year-old forward as a potential addition who could complement players like Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season while playing for both the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks. His athleticism and scoring could help fill a void left by LeBron James' departure.
Cleveland also remains a potential suitor for Kuminga, reportedly due to his prior relationship with Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson. However, the Lakers are reportedly hesitant to overpay for a player whose value has fluctuated during his time with multiple teams.
The situation remains at a standstill until either Kuminga compromises on his contract terms or another team meets his valuation, which would necessitate a shift in the Lakers' potential sign-and-trade scenario.