Lakers' Jonathan Kuminga pursuit hits unexpected roadblock

The Los Angeles Lakers started off the offseason with a bang, but things have cooled off as we enter the quietest days of the NBA offseason.

General manager Rob Pelinka is still trying to get Jonathan Kuminga to Southern California, but his financial aspirations make it a tall task.

The Atlanta Hawks could facilitate a sign-and-trade to send him to Los Angeles, but they're not interested in what the Lakers have to offer.

Now, as Heavy's Sean Deveney explained, the blockbuster trade that sent Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers has all but ruled out two potential facilitators for a three-team trade.

Lakers might not have a clear path to Jonathan Kuminga

"There just is not money out there for Kuminga, and the fact that the Clippers and Hornets used up cap space as facilitators in the Watson deal means they won’t be able to facilitate a Kuminga deal. That gives a potential sign-and-trade even less flexibility," Deveney wrote. 

Kuminga has yet to earn his stripes in the league, yet he wants to be paid like a star.

The Lakers reportedly offered him $20 million over two years, which sounds pretty fair for a player who has failed to establish himself as a starter and averages 12.5 points per his career.

That offer would allow him to increase his value and then get a bigger payday once he has actually proven he is worth top dollar.

Kuminga, however, is reportedly asking for at least $20 million a year, which is far more than what the Lakers can offer him under the current CBA.

A sign-and-trade would probably help the Lakers meet him in the middle at $15 million a year, but so far, it looks like they've run out of options to find a facilitator.