The Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes are narrowing fast, and the Los Angeles Lakers keep surfacing as the team to watch.
Los Angeles has been tied to the former Warriors forward for days now, and the latest reporting points to a finish line that could be close. The Lakers are still trying to make room after going over the roster limit, but they also appear determined to land another piece for the upcoming season.
On Tuesday, the New York Post’s Valentina Martinez said Kuminga’s market had been pared down to three teams.
“Jonathan Kuminga landing with the Los Angeles Lakers seems inevitable at this point. On Tuesday, it appeared Kuminga had three suitors remaining in his free-agent sweepstakes: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers," New York Post's Valentina Martinez wrote.
The Lakers have been working on a sign-and-trade for Kuminga for months, and the last few days have brought more clarity on how a deal could come together. NBA reporter Evan Sidery reported that discussions involving Atlanta are gaining momentum, while the Lakers try to create a workable path without taking on Jarred Vanderbilt on the Hawks’ side.
“Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade discussions between the Hawks and Lakers are picking up steam. With Atlanta still not interested in taking on Jarred Vanderbilt, LA is looking for facilitators to acquire Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht. The Lakers would send Atlanta draft capital,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer also sees the race tightening, and he thinks a resolution is coming soon. In his view, it’s basically down to Minnesota and Los Angeles, with Kuminga leaning toward the Lakers.
“Comes down to Minnesota or Los Angeles,” Fischer said. “Kuminga, I think, has seemed to prefer going to the Lakers.
They have the most opportunity to negotiate there. That's going to come to some type of conclusion here soon.
I thought it could have happened last week, but I still have been told nothing to suggest that Kuminga's situation is not coming down to the Lakers or the Timberwolves."
If the Lakers finish the sign-and-trade, they would plug the last opening in their starting lineup. The fit would also give them a player the team seems prepared to feature heavily on offense.
Kuminga, 23, has still not gotten what the reporting describes as a true chance to take the next step in his career, and Los Angeles could be the place where that changes. The Lakers view him as a potential difference-maker, and they appear ready to give him the runway to prove it.
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