The Lakers have made their summer intentions pretty clear: Jonathan Kuminga is the name they keep circling.
Kuminga, still a restricted free agent, has emerged as Los Angeles’ top target as the offseason winds down. The Cavaliers had been the most serious obstacle in the way, but that chase has shifted.
As NBA reporter Evan Sidery put it, “Jonathan Kuminga remains the Lakers’ top free agent target before finishing their offseason. As the Cavaliers have pivoted to chasing Peyton Watson, Kuminga is the sole focus currently for Los Angeles.
There could soon be momentum gathering on Kuminga to LA via sign-and-trade,”
Other teams have checked in too. The Timberwolves and Kings both showed interest, but the deal never got off the ground because Kuminga is not looking to take a one-year prove-it contract at the veteran minimum.
Sidery made that part plain as well: “Jonathan Kuminga is not willing to sign with any team on a one-year prove-it deal at the veteran’s minimum. The Kings and Timberwolves recently expressed interest in Kuminga, but the minimum salary made negotiations a no-go.
The Lakers remain the favorites to acquire Kuminga,”
That lines up with Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, who sees Los Angeles as the likeliest landing spot if the money can be worked out. Favale wrote, “Whether Jonathan Kuminga belongs here has little to do with his value as a player.
We have yet to see him deliver complementary offense, rebounding and defense for an entire season on top of his from-scratch proclivities, but the physical tools and semi-extended stretches of highest-percentile actualization remain tantalizing. Potential cost is the only barrier for entry.
He could be someone that gets more than the $6.1 million mini MLE, particularly if the Atlanta Hawks are willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade,”
The fit is obvious from the Lakers’ perspective. They know Kuminga from plenty of matchups, and they’re betting on what he could become rather than what he has already fully shown. He was on a $46 million contract last season, and Los Angeles has sold him on the idea that playing next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves could unlock more of his offense.
If the Lakers can close it, Kuminga would give them another significant piece to add to what has already been a strong offseason.
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