Lakers Have $262 Million to Spend and Jonathan Kuminga Is on Their List

Rob Pelinka wakes up every morning with a pretty good problem: figuring out who to throw money at next.

The Lakers are sitting on a mountain of cap space after LeBron James left, and they have not been shy about spending it. L.A. has already handed out $262 million in contracts to Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. That’s a lot of new faces around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as the franchise moves into the post-LBJ era.

The flurry of moves was necessary. Marcus Smart is gone to Houston. Luke Kennard signed with Phoenix. Jaxson Hayes took off for Utah. That left some real holes on the roster, especially on the wing and on defense.

And the Lakers aren’t done yet.

Kuminga Could Be the Next Target

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Los Angeles has its eye on Jonathan Kuminga. The 23-year-old forward was just let go by the Atlanta Hawks when they declined his $24.3 million team option.

Woike reported that league sources, speaking anonymously, said the team is still hunting for a young wing who can help on the perimeter defensively. Kuminga’s name keeps coming up.

He’s a high-upside swing. That’s the phrase Woike used. Kuminga has bounced around a bit. He was a lottery pick for Golden State but never really locked down a consistent role. He played just 16 games for the Hawks last season after a trade, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.1 minutes a night.

Those numbers are solid. The idea is that with a real home and consistent minutes, maybe he finally puts it all together. He’s still only 23.

Doncic Factor and a Possible Sixth-Man Role

Playing next to Luka Doncic could do wonders for Kuminga. Doncic makes everyone around him better. It’s just what he does. He draws so much attention that wings get wide open looks and easy cuts to the rim.

With Rui Hachimura also expected to leave, there’s a clear opening on the wing. Kuminga could slide right in. A sixth-man role might be the perfect fit for him. He’s bouncy, athletic, and could bring energy off the bench in a way the Lakers haven’t had in years.

It’s not a done deal yet. Nothing is official. But the Lakers are clearly still shopping, and Kuminga is one of the names at the top of their list.