Overview
- As of late July the market is stalled with the Lakers still contacting Jonathan Kuminga while failing to offer the salary his camp seeks.
- Kuminga is looking for roughly $20 million to $25 million a year and teams would likely need a sign‑and‑trade to reach that figure under NBA cap rules.
- Atlanta has resisted taking back Jarred Vanderbilt or multiple long‑term salaries and is pressing for draft compensation, which blocks simple one‑for‑one Lakers proposals.
- The Cavaliers have emerged as a stronger suitor because they can package veterans such as Max Strus or Dennis Schröder to match Atlanta’s needs and Cleveland has expressed mutual interest.
- Los Angeles’ roster math and assets shrink the Lakers’ options: they carry 16 guaranteed contracts, hold minimal draft capital, and missed an earlier window that would have eased a sign‑and‑trade, raising the odds Kuminga lands in Cleveland or returns to Atlanta on a smaller deal.