The Lakers may already have most of their 2026-27 roster set, but one last opening could still turn into something interesting.
Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as a possible fit for that final spot, even though Los Angeles is also said to be eyeing a defensive swingman. The overlap is obvious: Kuminga brings wing size, youth, and some upside, and there’s reportedly mutual interest between the sides.
The obstacle is money. Right now, the Lakers don’t have the space to simply add him, since he would be expected to command more than the minimum.
One route would be waiving and stretching Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract, which would free up $7 million.
“Jonathon Kuminga to the Lakers is starting to gain some steam, picking up around a potential move,” reported insider Marc Jacobs. “As I’ve said before, there is mutual interest, so the possibility is very much there as the situation continues to develop.”
Kuminga is only 23, and the résumé still shows real tools. In his career, he’s averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% overall and 34.6% from three. He entered the league with the Warriors in 2021 and was a minor part of their championship run.
The story since then has been far less stable. His time with coach Steve Kerr went south after several uneven seasons, and that split eventually sent him to Atlanta.
That move didn’t stick for long either. Kuminga played just 16 games for the Hawks before they declined his $24.3 million team option, putting him back on the market.
That’s where the Lakers come in. On paper, Kuminga would be out of reach for them unless the financial picture changes.
But his value is reportedly at a low point after the stops in Golden State and Atlanta, which could make him exactly the kind of bargain gamble Los Angeles is willing to consider. If Rob Pelinka can land him cheaply, the appeal is clear: more wing depth, more roster flexibility, and a chance to turn a talented but inconsistent player into something more reliable.
The hope would be that Luka Doncic and JJ Redick could help unlock him. At 23, Kuminga still has time to become a real rotation piece rather than just a name with upside.
But there’s no guarantee the market will cooperate. If his price climbs beyond the Lakers’ current cap space, they could get squeezed out before the conversation really gets going.
Other teams may also have cleaner paths to him. The Kings and Bucks are both viewed as logical landing spots for a younger player looking for minutes and a chance to rebuild his value without the spotlight. The Cavaliers have also been searching for frontcourt depth, and if they don’t land LeBron James this summer, Kuminga could be a natural alternative.
For now, his future remains wide open. The talent is there, but so are the concerns about basketball IQ, off-ball decision-making, and spacing.
That makes him a risky add for any team, including the Lakers. Still, with limited flexibility and one final move potentially available, Los Angeles may be willing to take the swing.
As for Kuminga, he’s in no position to be choosy. After being pushed out by two NBA teams, the unrestricted free agent now has to find the best place that will give him a shot to prove himself.
In Other News...
Hawks Are Running Out Of Room For What Could Come Next
The Hawks have spent the offseason stacking the board in ways that usually make life easier later, not harder. After re-signing several free agents and making additional trades and draft picks, Atlanta has put itself in a near-full roster situation with a salary cap sheet sitting just below the luxury tax line, a setup that reflects how aggressively the front office has tried to keep options open while still adding depth.
The problem now is that flexibility can disappear quickly when the final spots get sorted out. Atlanta still has some uncertainty around Henri Veesaar and what kind of contract he will ultimately be on, and the Hawks appetite for keeping future moves available could force a tougher decision on the back end of the roster. The good news is that their draft position has improved since the Dejounte Murray trade, with a mix of protected and unprotected picks giving them more leverage than they had before, but the challenge is turning that asset base into enough room to do everything they may still want to do. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks May Have Avoided The Center Mistake Fans Were Pushing For
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That choice looks even more deliberate after the Lakers swung a deal for Walker Kessler, one of the big names circulating on the market. Atlanta could have joined the chase, but staying put means the Hawks avoid forcing a reshuffle of the roster and the cap picture, leaving Onyeka Okongwu, Henri Veesaar and Landale as the group tasked with holding the middle for now. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kumingas Next Landing Spot Could Say Plenty About Atlanta
Jonathan Kumingas next stop is worth watching closely around Atlanta because it traces back to a decision the Hawks already made. By declining his team option, they sent him into unrestricted free agency, and now the forwards market is starting to take shape as teams sort through what they can offer and how aggressive they want to be with a young player whose athleticism still makes him an intriguing bet.
Milwaukee has emerged as one of the places to monitor, especially as the Bucks work through a rebuilding stretch and look for upside plays that fit a broader reset. They have the kind of financial flexibility that could make a pursuit possible, and the conversation around Kuminga only gets more interesting if other roster moves open additional room, leaving Atlantas original call looking even more consequential in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]