How a 4-Team Blockbuster NBA Trade Can Land Jonathan Kuminga with the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have revamped their lineup, parting ways with LeBron James to build around All-Star Luka Dončić. While the roster looks intriguing, the starting power forward spot is questionable.

To remedy, the Lakers have looked into acquiring Atlanta Hawks free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The challenge is that Los Angeles has used all of its spending tools and is wholly reliant on the Hawks sending Kuminga via sign-and-trade, in a deal the 23-year-old forward must also agree to.

The Hawks have their own concerns with a full roster nearing the luxury tax threshold, a line the franchise historically refuses to cross. Atlanta may be open to sending Kuminga for a first-round pick swap, but the Lakers' outgoing players need to go elsewhere.

Roping in the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, a four-team trade could land the Lakers their starter, Kuminga, a viable contract, and enough incentive for the Bulls and Nets to get a deal done.

Full Trade Details

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Lakers receive:

• Jonathan Kuminga (from Hawks)

Hawks receive:

• 2027 New York Knicks second-rounder (from Nets)
• 2032 first-round pick swap, 2032 second-rounder (from Lakers)
• $18 million trade exception (Jonathan Kuminga)

Bulls receive:

• Dalton Knecht (from Lakers)
• $2 million (from Lakers)

Nets receive:

• Jaden Hardy (from Lakers)
• Mouhamed Gueye (from Hawks)
• 2027 second-rounder (31-55 from Hawks)
• 2031 lowest second-rounder (from Bulls)
• 2033 Washington Wizards second-rounder (from Lakers)
• $4 million (from Lakers)

Why the Los Angeles Lakers Do It

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The Lakers have improved in several areas this offseason, acquiring center Walker Kessler, guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, and offensive-minded forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili. Still, it'd be foolish to assume the loss of the NBA's all-time leading scorer makes no impact. James will play for the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Lakers may need Mamukelashvili in the first five despite only making 28 starts over his handful of seasons.

That's why Kuminga has been closely linked to the Lakers. He has started 97 games for the Golden State Warriors and one for the Hawks. L.A. clearly sees him as an upgrade, adding necessary depth to a team that hopes to be immediately competitive—thus the willingness to give up its sparse remaining draft capital.

Kuminga would ink a four-year, $77.4 million deal with a player option on the final season. A sign-and-trade contract must be for at least three seasons; the Lakers give Kuminga an extra year, essentially as an insurance policy. He's seeking above $20 million annually, but the Lakers are limited by their first-apron hard cap.

The Lakers currently have 16 guaranteed contracts, one more than the regular-season maximum. Knecht and Hardy, who arrived recently from the Washington Wizards via the Deandre Ayton trade, should be expendable to upgrade for Kuminga. While L.A. would prefer to get off Jarred Vanderbilt's two-year, $25.7 million contract (player option before 2027-28), it only has so much draft capital to offer as an incentive. Getting Kuminga, roping in two other teams, and dumping Vanderbilt's contract is a step too far.

The Lakers can give Kuminga a 15 percent trade bonus and additional contract perks. Realistically, he may not have a path to the contract he seeks. Taking less for one year doesn't guarantee a payday next summer.

Los Angeles uses the expanded traded player exception of Knecht and Hardy. The team is left with one remaining draft pick (a second-rounder) in 2033 and $2.5 million in cash left to send out in trade near the 2027 draft, should the team hope to buy a second. Additionally, including Bronny James or another player could slightly increase Kuminga's salary. Jake LaRavia can be substituted for Hardy, as both will earn $6 million this season.

Why the Atlanta Hawks Do It

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The Hawks haven't paid luxury taxes since the 2011-12 season, before current governor Tony Ressler purchased the team. While Atlanta could re-sign Kuminga, it already has 17 players under contract at $4.1 million below the tax line. Instead, the team acquired defensive wing Lu Dort and guard Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with guard Devin Carter from the Sacramento Kings.

Gueye's $2.4 million isn't guaranteed, but he is out for several months with a foot injury. The team is responsible for his salary until he's able to return. Others have to go, and the Hawks can look to expand this trade to clear up its own roster issues.

In the meantime, the team lands a first-round pick swap from the Lakers for its trouble. If the Hawks have the higher pick, they'd get L.A.'s second instead. Atlanta gains a large trade exception and offloads Gueye to the Nets. Additionally, the Hawks trade back (projected) in the second round from their 2027 selection to where the champion New York Knicks' pick lands.

Why the Chicago Bulls Do It

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The Bulls were one of the few teams with cap room this summer, but new top basketball executive Bryson Graham used the team's flexibility on players like Nicolas Claxton and Norm Powell. What's left is the $9.4 million room mid-level exception (RMLE), which the team uses to bring in a young shooter from the Lakers.

Knecht, 25, was the No. 17 pick in 2024. While he's shown flashes, with the Lakers focused on playoff viability, Knecht hasn't gotten a consistent opportunity to show what he's capable of. The Bulls will have until the end of October to decide on Knecht's $6.5 million team option for 2027-28. Still, the Lakers are subsidizing nearly half ($2 million) of his $4.2 million for 2026-27.

To make the deal work, the Bulls send the Nets the lowest of their four 2031 second-rounders. Chicago will get the higher of the Golden State Warriors' and Minnesota Timberwolves' selections, sending the lowest of that pick and the Denver Nuggets, Knicks, and Bulls to Brooklyn.

Knecht is Chicago's 15th player under standard contract, with the team nowhere near the luxury tax threshold. The Bulls would still have $5.2 million of their RMLE remaining.

Why the Brooklyn Nets Do It

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The Nets still have about $4.9 million in cap space left after acquiring Julius Randle, Keon Ellis, Mo Wagner, and retaining Day'Ron Sharpe and Josh Minott. Gueye fits within the Nets' remaining cap room, while Hardy fits in with the mid-level exception, leaving a $3.4 million remainder.

The team is already locked in with 15 players, and while it can make other moves, Gueye and Hardy would presumably be cut before the start of the season. The Nets are in the deal for the draft compensation, getting most of Hardy's $6 million salary paid for by Los Angeles ($4 million).

Brooklyn nets two seconds, getting the lowest selection in 2031 from the Bulls, and the Wizards' 2033 from the Lakers. While the Nets give up New York's 2027 second, they bring in Atlanta's—potentially a jump of 10-15 spots.

Brooklyn uses its cap flexibility, joining the complex trade to land Kuminga with the Lakers, as it has over the last two offseasons, building up a war chest of draft picks as the franchise continues to rebuild.

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