Jonathan Kuminga is still on the board in free agency, and the Lakers are one of the teams trying to get him to sign on the dotted line. According to a report from the Los Angeles Times’ Broderick Turner, Los Angeles has a two-year, $20 million deal on the table for the 23-year-old forward.
The Lakers need a starting small forward after Rui Hachimura left for the Clippers. Kuminga fits the profile of the kind of athlete they want on the wing. But it’s not exactly a sure thing.
Kuminga started his career with the Warriors, where he won a ring but never really locked down a consistent role. He was traded to Atlanta in February and showed flashes. Nothing groundbreaking, but solid. The Hawks decided not to pick up his $24.3 million team option for next season, which is why he’s still available.
Last season, injuries and rotation headaches limited him to just 36 games. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. That’s not bad for a fourth option, but it’s not exactly star numbers either.
If the Lakers land him, he’d be reunited with Kevon Looney, his old Warriors teammate. Looney signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal with L.A. on Tuesday. That’s a nice little connection, but it won’t matter much if Kuminga can’t stay healthy or get on the floor consistently.
The Lakers aren’t the only team in the mix. The Timberwolves, Kings, Mavericks, Cavaliers, and Bucks are all reportedly interested. So Kuminga has options. He’s not desperate. But at $10 million a year, this feels like a reasonable bet for a team that needs a young, athletic wing who could still figure it out.
There’s no guarantee he starts. The Lakers have LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves as the core. Kuminga would be competing for minutes with whoever else they sign or bring back. But if he’s healthy and clicking, he could be exactly what they need.
The Lakers haven’t confirmed the offer. Turner’s sources say it’s real. We’ll see if Kuminga takes it or waits for something better.
Leave a Comment