Lakers' Kuminga pursuit gets crowded with Wolves lurking

Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective that a straight Lakers-Hawks sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga is unlikely because Atlanta would land in the tax, so a third team taking salary is probably required.

Talks between the two sides have restarted, with Jaden Hardy and his $6 million salary now the Lakers chip after Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million) filled that role earlier; Yahoo Sports takes a dim view of Vanderbilt's trade value in any Kuminga deal.

Earlier discussions stalled because the Hawks, $3.8 million under the tax with 17 players on the roster, will not absorb salary without a quality draft pick attached, and Los Angeles refused to include one.

NBC's Kurt Helin reported Kuminga prefers the Lakers to Minnesota and likes the idea of starting at the four; he has turned down a two-year, $20 million Lakers offer and is seeking $16-20 million a year.