Lakers' Kuminga Deal Stalls, Sign Thybulle

The Los Angeles Lakers' pursuit of free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga has stalled, with the team unwilling to part with significant draft capital to facilitate a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. This development, reported on Monday, July 20, 2026, comes as the Lakers instead secured veteran wing Matisse Thybulle on a one-year contract.

Negotiations between the Lakers and Kuminga's camp have reportedly been far apart on terms for weeks. Kuminga, 23, became an unrestricted free agent after the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option earlier this month. Because no team currently possesses the cap space to meet his salary demands, a sign-and-trade arrangement is his primary path to a new contract. However, the Lakers have shown little motivation to include substantial draft assets in such a deal with Atlanta.

The Lakers' interest in Kuminga dates to late June, with the Cleveland Cavaliers also mentioned as a potential suitor. Despite his status as the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft, Kuminga has yet to fully realize his potential. After a stint with the Golden State Warriors marked by inconsistent playing time, he was traded to Atlanta before the 2026 trade...