New Lakers Rumors Update Jonathan Kuminga Sign-and-Trade Talks in NBA Free Agency

More than a month after free agency started, Jonathan Kuminga continues to wait to figure out where he'll be playing next season.

According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Los Angeles Lakers "remain interested" in Kuminga as a potential sign-and-trade target with the Atlanta Hawks if all parties involved can find common ground on the terms of a deal:

"The Lakers met with Kuminga in the early hours of free agency, pitching him on a high-minutes role for a high-profile fringe contender in desperate need of athletic help on the wing. The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn't satisfy all sides. The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks."

Kuminga has frequently been connected to the Sacramento Kings, though other Western Conference teams like the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves have popped up as potential landing spots.

The biggest obstacle that appears to be standing in the way is what Kuminga wants on a contract.

When the Lakers first showed interest in Kuminga last month, their offer to him was reportedly in the range of $10 million per season.

As recently as July 30, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported Kuminga's camp was willing to hold out as long as possible in pursuit of a deal in the range of $14-16 million annually.

There has also been no indication Kuminga, whose $24.3 million team option was turned down by the Hawks to make him a free agent, is willing to sign a one-year prove-it contract.

Another potential stumbling block in a sign-and-trade is the Hawks already have 16 players on guaranteed contracts for next season and they are only $3.8 million under the tax.

The Lakers are hard-capped at the first apron as a result of the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade. They are currently $8.1 million under the first apron threshold.

As this situation continues to drag on, Kuminga's options and earnings potential for next season keep going down because teams want to set their rosters and there isn't a lot of money left in free agency to be spent.

The Lakers have added to their wing depth this offseason by drafting Cameron Carr, along with signing Mattise Thybulle and Ziaire Williams as free agents, but they could use more offense from that spot on the court.

Kuminga averaged 12.2 points on 46.3 percent shooting, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 36 appearances between the Hawks and Golden State Warriors last season.