Lakers predicted to trade Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy for $46M NBA champion in 3-team deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in hot pursuit of their next starting power forward since free agency opened, but they have yet to land the player they want. One name they have been interested in from the beginning is NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga.
To put it simply, Kuminga's free-agency process has been a lengthy one. However, most of his options have dwindled, and agreeing to a deal with Los Angeles now appears increasingly likely.
“Jonathan Kuminga landing with the Los Angeles Lakers seems inevitable at this point. On Tuesday, it appeared Kuminga had three suitors remaining in his free-agent sweepstakes: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers," New York Post's Valentina Martinez wrote.
The Lakers have been working hard to get a deal done with Kuminga, and at this point, it appears to be a matter of when rather than if. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer believes something will get done soon.
“Comes down to Minnesota or Los Angeles,” Fischer said. “Kuminga, I think, has seemed to prefer going to the Lakers. They have the most opportunity to negotiate there. That's going to come to some type of conclusion here soon. I thought it could have happened last week, but I still have been told nothing to suggest that Kuminga's situation is not coming down to the Lakers or the Timberwolves."
The biggest question now is which team will serve as the third team in a potential sign-and-trade for Kuminga. NBA writer Jake Weinbach proposed a three-team deal that would send Dalton Knecht and a draft pick to the Chicago Bulls, Jaden Hardy and a pick to the Atlanta Hawks, and Kuminga to the Lakers.
“A trade idea between the Lakers, Hawks, and Bulls: Lakers: Jonathan Kuminga (via S&T). Hawks: Jaden Hardy, 2031 second-round pick (via WAS from LAL), Cash (via LAL). Bulls: Dalton Knecht, 2032 second-round pick (via WAS from LAL),” Weinbach wrote.
This would be a great deal for the Lakers because it would bring them right to the roster limit while solving their biggest remaining hole. Los Angeles is currently one player over the roster limit, which is where a third team could become especially valuable in facilitating the deal.
Knecht and Hardy were unlikely to receive significant minutes in Los Angeles, so a trade could also give both young players an opportunity to establish themselves elsewhere.
Last season, Kuminga was on a $46 million contract. Los Angeles has big plans for him alongside Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, believing his athleticism and scoring ability can make him an important part of the offense.
Kuminga appears to be on the cusp of a breakout, and the Lakers believe that breakout could happen in Los Angeles.
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- Lakers, Timberwolves get major ex-Warriors Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade timeline update
- Lakers reportedly winning battle to sign $46M ex-Warriors NBA champion over Timberwolves
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