The Lakers, an option that's cooling down
On paper, Jonathan Kuminga nevertheless ticked many boxes for Los Angeles. At 23 years old, with potential still far from being tapped out, he could have fulfilled a real need for the franchise at the shooting guard and power forward positions. However, according to Jake Fischer, journalist for The Stein Line, this option has been losing traction in recent days.
The sign-and-trade option with Atlanta
Khobi Price, from the California Post, has mentioned an alternative scenario: a sign-and-trade between the Hawks and the Lakers, where Kuminga would be traded for Jarred Vanderbilt and a first-round draft pick.
The Stein Line, however, pours cold water on this idea: Atlanta would be only moderately interested in Vanderbilt’s profile, while the Lakers are not actively looking to part ways with him.
Beyond each side’s preferences, a financial reality remains: as the Lakers are above the salary cap, they cannot directly make a sufficient offer to the Congolese player. An agreement would therefore have to involve a trade with Atlanta.
Cleveland, and the shadow of LeBron James
The situation is not blocked, but it is hardly progressing. And as is often the case this offseason, everything could hinge on LeBron James’s decision.
According to ESPN, Cleveland considers Jonathan Kuminga as a backup option at the wing, in the event that negotiations with the “King” do not succeed. In other words, JK will have to wait a bit longer before knowing what his future holds.
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Oumar WANE
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.