Jonathan Kuminga’s free agency is still sitting in the middle of a tug-of-war, and the biggest issue right now is simple: the money he wants is more than the Lakers appear ready to put on the table.
LA reporter Jovan Buha said on The Herd that the Lakers looked into opening up about $10 million in cap space so they could offer Kuminga a two-year, $20 million deal. That number, though, apparently didn’t move the needle.
“My understanding was (the Lakers) could have cleared about $10 million in cap space to sign him to a two-year, $20 million deal and he was not interested in that,” Buha said. “I’ve heard that he’s been looking for closer to $20 million (per year). Doesn’t have to be exactly $20 million, but closer to that, north of $15 million.”
The Lakers are still in the mix, but the price tag is the obstacle. And they’re not the only team watching this play out. As Dan Woike of The Athletic previously reported, Los Angeles and Cleveland remain the two clubs most frequently tied to Kuminga as his free agency stretches on.
Cleveland has its own appeal in this chase. Kuminga has worked out there before, and by all accounts he would be open to landing with the Cavaliers. His agent, Aaron Turner, is also from nearby Orange, Ohio.
Any path to either the Lakers or Cavs would likely have to go through the Hawks in a sign-and-trade. That’s where things get complicated, especially for Los Angeles. Buha said the Lakers’ current cap situation makes a sign-and-trade the most realistic route if they can first get on the same page with Kuminga on a contract.
Cleveland, meanwhile, is waiting like much of the league while it keeps an eye on LeBron James’ free agency decision. There are scenarios, sources have told Hoops Wire, in which the Cavs could end up with both James and Kuminga, though the mechanics of that remain unclear.
Kuminga is 23 and was traded from the Warriors to the Hawks at last season’s deadline. In 36 games overall, he averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 46 percent from the field before becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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