The Lakers’ search for a wing to fill the hole left by LeBron James has pushed Jonathan Kuminga to the center of their offseason plans, and Los Angeles is now being viewed as the favorite to land the former Warriors forward.
The Lakers have already added Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, but neither is seen as the long-term answer in the starting lineup. That has kept the front office active in its push for Kuminga, a former Golden State Warriors NBA champion who has been linked to the Lakers since free agency opened.
The path to a deal, though, has been messy. Any move is expected to come through a sign-and-trade, and that means the Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks all have to line up on the structure.
ESPN’s Shams Charania laid out the challenge this way: “Whatever deal could happen will likely be a sign-and-trade. So that's where both the Lakers and Cavs would need the Hawks to work with them on a Kuminga deal.
They would also have to get Kuminga on the same page with them all in a potential deal,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
Kuminga’s asking price has been the biggest sticking point. He is reportedly seeking more than $20 million annually, and that number has complicated talks.
“Jonathan Kuminga is demanding a salary in free agency exceeding $20 million annually, per The Athletic. Kuminga prefers a sign-and-trade from the Hawks over leaving outright, simply due to the added financial implications.
The Cavaliers and Lakers are the finalists for Kuminga," NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.
Los Angeles has been trying to bring that number down, but Brett Siegel believes the Lakers still have the upper hand. “There’s two teams [interested] right now.
It’s the Cavs and the Lakers. I personally believe he will end up with the Lakers… He’s willing to hold out as long as possible… He wants somewhere in that sweet spot of $14-16 million,” Siegel said.
The appeal for the Lakers is clear. They believe Kuminga could fit next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, with his rim pressure giving them another weapon alongside two players who already do a strong job creating space and open looks for others.
For now, the race remains open, but the Lakers seem to have built the most momentum in the chase for the 46 million former Warriors champion.
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