The Lakers’ search for a new starting wing has quickly become one of the bigger offseason storylines, and Jonathan Kuminga keeps sitting near the center of it.
With LeBron James telling the organization he will not be returning, Los Angeles is moving into a new phase built around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. James is set to begin the next chapter of his career, and next season will mark his unprecedented 24th NBA season.
“LeBron James will return for an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA -- but it won't be with the Los Angeles Lakers. James has informed the Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday,” ESPN wrote.
That shift has only intensified the Lakers’ interest in Kuminga. The connection has been there for a while, and the fit appears to be appealing on both sides.
“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 real obstacle is structure. A sign-and-trade is still the tricky part, and one recent proposal lays out a path that would send Kuminga to Los Angeles in a three-team deal involving the Hawks and Bucks.
Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Roman suggested a trade that would send Myles Turner to Atlanta, Kuminga and Jericho Sims to the Lakers, and Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and draft capital to Milwaukee.
“Hawks Receive: Myles Turner, 2031 2nd round pick (via WAS, from LAL) and 2033 2nd round pick (via LAL). Lakers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (re-signed to 4-year, $85.5 million), Jericho Sims. Bucks Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, 2029 1st-round pick (via Atlanta, top-five protected), 2027 2nd round pick (via ATL), 2029 2nd round pick (via ATL),” Roman wrote.
For Los Angeles, the appeal is obvious: the wing spot gets addressed at last. Atlanta would land an established center in Turner, and Milwaukee would get a package built around Vanderbilt, LaRavia, and picks as it continues reshaping the roster.
Kuminga would also come away with a new four-year, $85.5 million contract in the deal. If the Lakers stay committed to making him their top wing target, they can keep working every angle to get a sign-and-trade done.
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Lakers May Be Watching Another Ideal Wing Slip Away
Peyton Watsons rise in Denver this past season has put him squarely on the radar of teams looking for a long, switchable wing, and the Lakers are among the clubs that have taken notice. The appeal is obvious from their side: Watson fits the kind of two-way mold that tends to matter in the West, and as a restricted free agent he is the sort of player who can quickly become expensive to pry loose.
The problem is the path to getting him looks murky. Los Angeles does not have the draft capital to satisfy Denvers asking price in a sign-and-trade, and its recent move for Walker Kessler has only tightened the margins on any bigger swing. With limited trade flexibility and other teams, including Atlanta, also circling, the Lakers may end up watching another ideal wing get out of reach. [Read more 🡒]
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The price on Bronny is still very much a moving target, but the Lakers are not expected to treat him like a throw-in if the situation gets serious. A trade built around a second-round pick and a roster-fitting player has been floated as the kind of framework that could get attention, though the asking price could shift if the whole thing becomes tied to LeBrons next stop. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Just Let Another Crucial Defensive Answer Slip Away
The Lakers spent part of the offseason searching for more defensive bite, and Lu Dort looked like the kind of answer that could have changed the tone of the roster. His physical perimeter defense and ability to take on difficult assignments made him a natural fit for a team that has too often needed someone to absorb the toughest wing matchups. Los Angeles also had enough draft capital to stay in the conversation, which made the decision not to push harder feel like more than just a missed opportunity.
Instead, the Lakers went in another direction, adding Walker Kessler and signing Sandro Mamukelashvili while the Dort path disappeared from view. The larger issue is not simply one player leaving the board, but how many of these choices have stacked up for a team still trying to build a defense it can trust when the games tighten. [Read more 🡒]