It's no secret now that the Hawks likely aren't going to bring Jonathan Kuminga back.
After trading for Oklahoma City's Lu Dort, it's appearing as likely as ever that they end up parting with him. It's not that Kuminga isn't a talented, valuable forward with a world of untapped potential, it's simply that Atlanta has too crowded of a room at the position he wants to play.
They want to develop Asa Newell. They want to develop Mo Gueye. They also have to play both Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins significant bench minutes every night. They're all behind Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson.
Naturally, they've explored sign-and-trade scenarios with many potential suitors. The most active suitor, for quite some time now, has been the Los Angeles Lakers. Even they, however, appear to be less inspired to bring him in after a series of moves.
Lakers have now added two talented forwards not named Kuminga
It all started when just a few days ago, they added Ziaire Williams, a 24-year-old forward looking for a bigger opportunity after spending the last two seasons on the Brooklyn Nets' bench.
After the Williams signing, though, many were still confident that they would remain in the hunt. Williams is no long-term answer, and he very likely isn't going to start at forward for them, so it's clear to see why they would still pursue Kuminga.
That confidence, however, isn't exactly on the same level anymore, as just a few days after their first wing addition, they added an even better one.
Matisse Thybulle, 27, is exactly what the Lakers have been missing, and desperately needing at the wing. Despite all of their impressive additions this summer, what they've been lacking most is a proven defensive stopper, especially after letting Marcus Smart walk.
Thybulle is no perfect player, but he can play some quality defense on a variety of star players.
Their forward room is now almost too loaded to go after Kuminga
This, of course, doesn't eliminate them from the chase, but it does make it far less likely.
Kuminga is most effective with the ball in his hands. He's great in transition, so he would still be a solid fit in Los Angeles, but when they already employ Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the focus needs to remain on getting off-ball weapons who can defend.
That's exactly what they did with their prior two pickups.
It'll be fascinating to see how this all shakes out. There's always a chance the Lakers stay aggressive, and there's always a possibility of him returning to Atlanta, but both options are becoming less likely with every passing day.
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