Jonathan Kuminga may have just gotten a fresh nudge toward the Los Angeles Lakers, and it came courtesy of the NBA schedule.
Golden State’s first trip to Los Angeles next season is already circled as a headline game, with the Warriors set to face the Lakers in both teams’ opener on October 21 at Crypto.com Arena. That gives Kuminga, if he ends up in purple and gold, an immediate shot at a little revenge against the franchise that moved on from him.
The matchup lost out on a spot in the league’s three-game opening-day slate on October 20, but it still carries plenty of star power. Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic are set to square off, which keeps the spotlight firmly on the night.
There’s another layer here if Kuminga does land with the Lakers in free agency. He has remained unsigned six weeks into the process after Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option for next season, and the possibility of him facing his former team right away only adds to the drama.
It would also be a sharp turn from what happened in last year’s opener. Kuminga was a major factor in Golden State’s 119-109 win over the Lakers in Los Angeles, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists while hitting 4 of 6 from 3-point range. That performance came after a long restricted free agency stretch that wasn’t settled until October.
His strong start and starting role did not last, though. The former seventh overall pick was eventually dealt to the Hawks at February’s midseason deadline in a trade for veteran center Kristaps Porzingis.
Even now, the Lakers still look like the most realistic landing spot if Kuminga finds a new home. Cleveland has its focus on restricted free agent Peyton Watson, while Atlanta has also signaled a change in direction by giving Lu Dort his No. 0 jersey.
On Tuesday’s appearance on Hoops Talk with Allen Sliwa, ESPN’s Anthony Slater said the Lakers remain patient but are still the "hungriest suitor" for Kuminga as August rolls on.
"I think the Lakers are sitting there still as the hungriest suitor, but also knowing at this point there's not necessarily a reason to throttle forward and blow out the rest of your assets and get him every last dollar he wants," Slater said.
Kuminga is believed to be looking for a deal worth close to $20 million per year, but he may have to accept less if the Lakers or another team cannot work out a sign-and-trade with the Hawks.
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