Atlanta Hawks Land Draft Pick in New Jonathan Kuminga Trade Idea

While the Atlanta Hawks may be able to benefit in some way from a sign-and-trade sending free agent Jonathan Kuminga elsewhere, the truth is that fans probably shouldn't expect anything huge in return.

A recent trade idea from Adel Ahmad of Heavy Sports demonstrates that. Ahmad put together a three-team structure that would send Kuminga to the Los Angeles Lakers and bring just a second-round draft pick to Atlanta, with the Houston Rockets also involved.

Here's the full idea:

- LAKERS GET: Jonathan Kuminga, second-round pick in 2031 (via Houston)

- HAWKS GET: Second-round pick in 2031 (from Los Angeles, via Washington Wizards)

- ROCKETS GET: Jarred Vanderbilt

Kuminga would have a chance to play a key role for the Lakers, which may be just what he needs in order to spread his wings at the NBA level.

There are plenty of Kuminga trade ideas floating around right now, and it's tough to predict exactly how the situation will end. But truthfully, any return is better than nothing for Atlanta when it comes to losing a player who is an unrestricted free agent anyway.

The Hawks originally gave up big man Kristaps Porziņģis in exchange for Kuminga and sharpshooter Buddy Hield. As of now, Hield remains in the fold in Atlanta, though his name has come up in trade rumors.

Kuminga was serviceable with the Hawks after coming over from the Golden State Warriors last season, but he certainly didn't blow expectations out of the water. He appeared in 16 games for Atlanta in the regular season and averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. He then averaged 13.7 points per game in the playoffs as the Hawks pushed the New York Knicks to six games.

Atlanta declined Kuminga's option at the start of the offseason, sending him to free agency. The door hasn't been totally shut on the idea of the forward returning to the Hawks, but that option doesn't feel particularly likely at this stage.

Second-round picks can serve as solid trade chips in some deals, so if Atlanta does end up netting one in a Kuminga sign-and-trade, it can file it away for the future (or keep it for itself). But right now, the waiting game is ongoing as the former lottery pick seeks an answer on his future. Since the Hawks may be involved in the resolution one way or another, they can't exactly detach from the saga just yet.