Jonathan Kuminga’s free agency has turned into one of the more unpredictable stories of the summer, and the Lakers are right in the middle of it.
Los Angeles has spent the offseason hunting for a power forward, and Kuminga has emerged as a top target for that spot. The fit makes sense on paper, especially with the Lakers stepping into a new era without LeBron James for the first time in nearly a decade. Even so, Kuminga still hasn’t locked in a destination despite the steady push from the Lakers.
“There is mutual free agent interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers, per Jovan Buha. Los Angeles continues to work behind the scenes to secure Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
The Lakers have already put a serious offer on the table. According to Sidery, the team has proposed a sign-and-trade deal worth around $45 million, and that package would include Jarred Vanderbilt plus draft capital going to the Hawks. Kuminga would need to sign at least a three-year deal for the sign-and-trade to work.
“The Lakers have offered Jonathan Kuminga a contract via sign-and-trade that would pay him around $45 million. Los Angeles is willing to send Jarred Vanderbilt alongside draft capital to the Hawks for Kuminga, who must sign at least a three-year deal in sign-and-trade agreements," Sidery wrote.
But Los Angeles is not alone in the chase. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves are still in the mix, which keeps this from being a simple Lakers landing spot. Brett Siegel also noted that the field has shifted in a way that makes a Lakers finish increasingly possible, even if nothing is settled yet.
“The Atlanta Hawks were said to be open to bringing Kuminga back on a minimum deal, but that ship has sailed since adding Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort in trades with the OKC Thunder. ... There hasn't been much talk about Kuminga going to the Clippers recently, and interest from the Bucks seems like an "if all else fails" option regarding their pursuit of Peyton Watson and Bennedict Mathurin. It looks increasingly likely that Kuminga will end up with the Lakers, Timberwolves, or Cavs,” NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote.
At this point, Kuminga’s situation still feels wide open. The 23-year-old NBA champion has drawn real attention from the Lakers, but the Cavaliers and Timberwolves are still pressing, and the final decision will come down to where he wants to sign.
Last season, Kuminga was playing under a $46 million contract between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Now, this could turn into a bidding war that lasts until the end.
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