Jonathan Kuminga’s long wait appears to be nearing an end, and the Los Angeles Lakers sound like the team with the clearest path to landing him.
According to insider Jake Fischer, the market has narrowed to two real possibilities: Minnesota or Los Angeles. Fischer said on his podcast, “His situation comes down to Minnesota or Los Angeles,” and added that Kuminga “seems to prefer going to the Lakers.” He also noted that the Timberwolves are limited to the taxpayer mid-level, while the Lakers have been pitching a starting role and the chance for a richer deal later on.
That’s the key tension in this whole situation. Kuminga is still unsigned, but the options in front of him don’t match the contract he wants right now.
Minnesota can only go to the taxpayer mid-level exception worth $6 million, well below the $20+ million he’s seeking. Still, with no other teams seriously involved, the Wolves could end up with him by default.
The Lakers, though, have been working this for weeks. Fischer said Los Angeles has been selling Kuminga on the idea of starting next to Luka, and the appeal is obvious from the team’s side. They can only offer the veteran’s minimum at the moment, but the pitch is that they could make it up to him next summer if everything breaks the right way.
Fischer made it clear the situation should be settled soon, saying, “That’s gonna come to some type of conclusion here soon.” He added, “I thought it could have happened last week, but I still am told nothing to suggest Kuminga’s situation is not coming down to the Lakers or Timberwolves.”
Kuminga has been unsigned since the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24 million player option this summer, and he has held out while searching for the contract he wants. But with training camp getting closer, the leverage is shrinking. If he wants the best shot at a bigger payday later, the Lakers may be the cleanest path.
On the court, Kuminga would give Los Angeles another wing option to plug into a roster that already includes Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. He has career averages of 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 47.6% shooting from the field.
For now, the standoff remains unresolved. But unless Kuminga is willing to let this drag into the season, a decision is coming soon - and all signs point to Los Angeles being the favorite to get him.
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