The Atlanta Hawks reportedly have no interest in taking back Jarred Vanderbilt's contract in a potential Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, there is one compelling reason for President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh to keep the conversation alive: Los Angeles' 2032 first-round pick swap could eventually become an extremely valuable asset.
The Hawks remain active in sign-and-trade conversations surrounding Kuminga, and the Lakers continue to be one of the teams most frequently connected to the 23-year-old forward. There also appears to be mutual interest between Kuminga and Los Angeles, creating another reason for both organizations to continue exploring potential scenarios.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Atlanta does not want to take back Vanderbilt's contract in a deal involving Kuminga. That creates an obvious obstacle, but the potential draft compensation attached to the framework could make finding another solution worthwhile.
The Lakers' 2032 pick swap could become extremely valuable
A first-round pick swap does not give the Hawks complete control of the Lakers' 2032 selection. Instead, Atlanta would have the right to exchange its own first-round pick for Los Angeles' selection if the Lakers' pick lands in a more favorable position.
That may not sound as appealing as acquiring an unprotected first-round pick, but it still carries significant value. The 2032 NBA Draft remains six years away, and there is no way of knowing what either organization will look like by then.
The Lakers could remain one of the Western Conference's better teams, making the swap relatively insignificant. However, if Los Angeles struggles and its selection lands near the top of the draft, Atlanta could suddenly possess the right to exchange its own pick for a significantly more valuable one.
The uncertainty surrounding the Lakers' future is exactly what creates the upside. First-round draft assets also provide value long before the selections are actually made, meaning the Hawks would not necessarily need to wait until 2032 to benefit from acquiring the swap.
Atlanta could turn the asset into something much bigger
Saleh has spent his tenure carefully accumulating assets and maintaining the Hawks' ability to make future moves. Acquiring another first-round pick swap would provide Atlanta with additional ammunition whenever the next major opportunity becomes available.
The Hawks could eventually attach the swap to a larger trade package for an All-Star-caliber player to pair alongside Jalen Johnson. If Atlanta believes its young core is ready to take another step, having another valuable draft asset could help Saleh aggressively pursue the right player.
Atlanta recently acquired Aaron Wiggins without sacrificing premium draft capital, demonstrating how smart asset management can help a front office continue strengthening the roster. However, a future first-round pick swap with significant upside could potentially help the Hawks pursue a much bigger target.
That does not mean Atlanta should accept Vanderbilt's contract simply to acquire the swap. Saleh has every reason to avoid taking on unwanted salary that could limit the organization's flexibility, especially if the Hawks do not view Vanderbilt as part of their plans.
Perhaps another player could become involved, or a third team could eventually help facilitate a sign-and-trade. There are several ways discussions could evolve if both sides remain motivated to complete a deal.
Most importantly, the Hawks should not sacrifice their own future simply to acquire another asset. Kuminga remains a valuable player, and Atlanta reportedly continues to have interest in bringing him back, giving the organization no reason to accept an unfavorable trade package.
However, Atlanta may not wait indefinitely for the Lakers to present an acceptable offer. With the Hawks also reportedly interested in Peyton Watson, the front office could shift its attention toward a separate sign-and-trade framework if talks with Los Angeles fail to materialize.
If Atlanta can land the asset without accepting an unfavorable contract or sacrificing something detrimental to its future, Saleh should continue working the phones.
The Hawks may never actually use the pick swap themselves, but acquiring it could give Atlanta another valuable piece to help make a much bigger move when the right opportunity eventually arrives.
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