There's clearly mutual interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Los Angeles Lakers, but the pathway to land him there is more difficult than anyone could've imagined entering this year's free agency period.
Los Angeles has been the league's most active squad, signing rotation-level contributors left and right. They've completely reshaped their group following the departure of LeBron James - who ultimately chose the Philadelphia 76ers as his fourth (and likely final) franchise.
Limited available cap space means limited chance at a top remaining free agent. That is, unless they're able to take the sign-and-trade route. Even that, on its own, is proving to be incredibly challenging. The Atlanta Hawks have little reason to entertain their offers.
Hawks don't have roster space, or room to take on a bad contract
In order for the finances to work, the Lakers will need to part with some players.
They'll have to combine salaries - in whatever fashion they choose - to match, or at least get close to what they're looking to pay Kuminga.
His camp has stood firm, all throughout free agency, that they're not interested in taking less than $20 million annually in a long-term deal. The downside of sign-and-trades, though, is that at minimum, they have to be for three seasons.
The easiest way for Los Angeles to get close to matching the salary they're anticipating paying him is by dealing Jarred Vanderbilt - their 27-year-old defensive-standout forward - set to make over $12 million in each of the next two seasons.
Including him likely wouldn't be enough, but it'd be a start.
Why would the Hawks - a team who's already two players over the legal roster limit and getting close to the luxury tax line - take on a negative asset just to help a Western Conference team?
Because adding Kuminga, no doubt, would help the Lakers in their first pursuit of contention in the Luka Doncic era.
Atlanta already needs to shed a few contracts of their own
Aside from the well-known fact that they're currently above the limit, they have a few players making much more than their perceived value around the league.
Corey Kispert and Buddy Hield - two lights-out shooters who struggled to make an impact last season - are set to make a combined $22 million next year.
Adding Vanderbilt's two-year salary into the mix would only further complicate things.
Hawks' President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh needs to stand firm in these ongoing negotiations, as the defensive boost Vanderbilt provides is outweighed by his hefty price tag.
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