The Lakers went into free agency with a clear target in mind: Jonathan Kuminga. They wanted the 23-year-old NBA champion to step into the starting power forward role, and they stuck with that pursuit even as the picture around him kept shifting.
In the end, though, Kuminga chose a different path. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, “Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender,”
That outcome landed as something of a surprise around Los Angeles, especially after the Cleveland Cavaliers were no longer in the mix. As New York Post's Valentina Martinez wrote, “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,"
Now the Lakers are left staring at the same issue that made Kuminga such a priority in the first place: the power forward spot still needs help. If they don’t lean on an internal answer, a trade could be the next move.
California Post’s Khobi Price pointed to Kyle Kuzma as one of the clearest options, writing, “ Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma, who was with the Lakers from 2017-21 and won the 2020 championship with the franchise, stand out as the best trade options. Kuzma ($20.5 million) are entering the final season of their respective four-year, $90 million deals. Trading for either would likely require the Lakers to send a combination of Hardy, Knecht or Jarred Vanderbilt, in addition to draft picks,”
For Los Angeles, Kuzma checks a lot of boxes. He’s the kind of dependable piece they can plug into that vacancy, and he already knows the organization well from his run with the team. He was part of the 2020 championship group in the bubble, which only adds to the appeal if the Lakers decide to go that route.
In Other News...
Cavs Missed On Jonathan Kuminga For A Reason Fans Will Debate
Jonathan Kumingas move to Minnesota gives the Timberwolves another intriguing piece at a time when the roster already looks built to compete deep into the postseason. For a player still trying to define his next step, landing in a situation with playoff expectations and established talent can matter as much as dollars, especially when the fit is as important as the opportunity.
The agreement adds another layer of interest because Kumingas camp viewed this as the best basketball setting for him, a sign he is betting on role and development as much as immediate security. For Minnesota, it is the sort of addition that can sharpen an already ambitious group, while for everyone else it becomes another reminder that sometimes the destination says as much as the contract. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Just Opened The Door To A Bigger Roster Move
The Timberwolves made a quiet but meaningful roster shuffle by sending Josh Green and cash considerations to the Jazz in exchange for Cody Williams and John Konchar. On the surface, it looks like a simple two-for-two swap, but the real significance is what it does for Minnesotas books as the front office continues to tinker with the edges of the roster.
What matters next is the flexibility the deal is meant to create. Minnesota has been working to keep its options open as the salary cap gets tighter, and this move gives the team a little more breathing room to keep exploring upgrades. Williams gives the Wolves another young piece to evaluate, while the financial side of the deal is what could shape the next step in the offseason. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Could Miss Out As Heat Eye Another Useful Veteran
The Timberwolves offseason shuffle has left John Konchar available after Minnesota moved on from the veteran wing, and that kind of low-cost, dependable depth can draw attention quickly at this stage of the summer. For a team like Miami, which is still looking to round out its roster, a player with Konchars experience and role-player profile fits the sort of practical move the front office tends to examine closely.
Miami already added center Nick Richards on a one-year deal, but the Heat still have room to make another veteran addition before camp opens. With one roster spot left, the decision now comes down to how they want to use that flexibility, and Konchar has emerged as one of the more interesting names in that conversation. [Read more 🡒]