The Los Angeles Lakers may be eyeing another bold move, and this one involves a young, high-upside forward who’s looking for a fresh start. According to league sources, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka is a fan of Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga - and the idea of pairing his athleticism with Luka Dončić is gaining traction inside the organization.
Kuminga, who recently requested a trade out of Golden State, has drawn interest from multiple teams, but the Lakers are reportedly among the most intrigued. This isn’t a new development either.
L.A. was keeping tabs on Kuminga as far back as last summer during his restricted free agency saga. At the time, there was speculation that Kuminga might take the qualifying offer and test unrestricted free agency in 2026 - a move that would’ve opened the door for a team like the Lakers to pounce.
Now, with Kuminga under contract and his role in Golden State shrinking, the Lakers are back in the picture.
Pelinka reportedly views Kuminga as a strong fit next to Dončić - a high-motor, explosive wing who can defend multiple positions and run the floor with purpose. The Lakers clearly see the upside: a 23-year-old with championship experience, elite athleticism, and room to grow in the right system. The Warriors, for their part, are aware of L.A.'s interest, though it's unclear how open they are to making a deal midseason, especially with both teams jockeying for position in a competitive Western Conference.
Kuminga’s numbers this season reflect both his potential and his current limitations. In 18 appearances, he’s averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 43.1% from the field and 32.0% from deep.
Solid, but not eye-popping - and more importantly, he’s not currently in Golden State’s rotation. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who, just a couple of years ago, was considered a core part of the Warriors’ future.
He signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal with Golden State in the offseason, with the second year being a team option. That gives the Warriors some control, but also makes him a more attractive trade chip for teams like the Lakers, who could view this as a low-risk, high-reward swing.
And it’s not just L.A. circling. The Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings are also reportedly interested in Kuminga, whose career averages sit at 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. That’s decent production for a player still finding his footing in the league - and enough to make multiple playoff-caliber teams take notice.
As it stands, the Lakers are fifth in the West, while the Warriors are in eighth. Both teams made major moves last season - the Lakers landed Luka Dončić in a blockbuster deal with Dallas, sending out Anthony Davis and Max Christie, while the Warriors brought in Jimmy Butler from Miami. Those trades signaled a win-now mindset for both franchises.
Adding Kuminga could be the next step for the Lakers - a move that adds youth, energy, and defensive versatility to a roster that’s already built around one of the league’s most dynamic stars. Whether the Warriors are willing to deal with a conference rival remains to be seen, but if Kuminga’s time in the Bay is truly up, the Lakers are ready to make their pitch.