International 
Politics 
Local 
Finance 
Sports 
Entertainment 
Lifestyle 
Technology 
Literature 
Science 
Health 
1 hour ago
3
Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) shoots before a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
While the Los Angeles Lakers’ relentless pursuit of former Golden State Warriors NBA champion forward Jonathan Kuminga hasn’t gone as planned thus far, it’s clear they aren’t giving up just yet.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Lakers are looking to involve another team in a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks to help them offload Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht (the Hawks don’t appear interested in either contributor).
“The Lakers are actively looking for facilitators willing to take on Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht’s contracts in order to acquire Jonathan Kuminga via sign-and-trade,” Sidery wrote Thursday. “Vanderbilt’s $12.4 million salary includes a player option for 2027-28, while Knecht makes $4.2 million.”
A multi-team sign-and-trade for Kuminga seems to be the Lakers’ only logical path to acquiring the former lottery pick before the start of the new NBA season. It makes sense why the Hawks wouldn’t be thrilled with the idea of landing Knecht and Vanderbilt.
Knecht isn’t as far along in his development as many hoped/expected he’d be through two seasons, and Vanderbilt has turned into a complete non-factor on the offensive end of the floor lately, making his defensive contributions less impactful.
Sidery’s report makes one thing evident, though: the Lakers undoubtedly believe that there’s a team out there who will be willing to take a chance on the two struggling contributors. If Los Angeles succeeds in doing so, securing Kuminga’s services will serve as their reward.
More NBA news:
English (US)