Lakers' Jonathan Kuminga dream faces two competitors

The Los Angeles Lakers have been keeping tabs on Jonathan Kuminga for a while now.

However, it looks like there's not much traction with the Atlanta Hawks on a sign-and-trade, and they don't have the financial wiggle room to sign him straight up. To add insult to injury, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks are also trying to get their hands on the former lottery pick. According to NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy, the Bucks are in the pole position to get him.

Jonathan Kuminga will likely sign with the Bucks

"Kuminga is likely stuck," Deveney wrote. "There is still time for Kuminga to land a sign-and-trade deal this summer, and maybe something will materialize with the Lakers (unlikely), the Cavaliers (more likely, but still slim) or the Bucks (probably his best bet)."

However, not all hope is lost for Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. Deveney believes Kuminga will most likely sign a short-term deal, so there's a strong chance he could be a trade candidate at some point in the season.

Even if that's not the case, the Lakers can always pursue him again in the offseason with healthier books and more financial wiggle room to accommodate his financial aspirations.

"Kuminga should just pull in a one-year deal, on a minimum or with some part of a midlevel exception, show he is worth a long-term commitment, and try again in free agency next year," Deveney added. 

Unlike what he and his camp want to portray, Kuminga is a gamble. He's not a finished product by any means, and while the upside is clearly there, the production hasn't been.

As such, perhaps his financial demands ($15M–$20M) are a bit too steep. He's unproven, which is why other teams aren't in much of a rush to get him paid.