Lakers Still Chasing Free-Agent Forward Jonathan Kuminga
lakers-remain-in-pursuit-of-jonathan-kuminga
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to court free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, but their latest proposals have yet to secure his signature, league sources told ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
Shortly after free agency opened last Tuesday, Kuminga held a virtual meeting with vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick. During the call, the club outlined how the 23-year-old could fit alongside star guard Luka Doncic.
The next day, Los Angeles reached verbal agreements with Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton. Based on reported terms, deals for Kessler, Mamukelashvili, and Grimes would consume all remaining cap space, while Sexton is expected to take the full room exception. That scenario would leave only the veterans minimum for Kuminga unless the Lakers create space through a sign-and-trade or another salary-clearing move.
According to Slater, multiple Lakers officials and players have contacted Kuminga to reinforce the club’s interest, and management has modestly improved its offer. Still, Kuminga and his agent Aaron Turner believe a more favorable contract could surface.
A sign-and-trade could raise Los Angeles’ offer, but the Atlanta Hawks would need proper incentive. Potential outgoing salaries such as Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, or Jaden Hardy may not appeal to Atlanta, and the Lakers own only three second-round picks and a 2032 first-round swap as trade assets.
If the Hawks decline, the Lakers could try moving Vanderbilt, Knecht, or Hardy to a third team before finalizing other signings, but that would also require draft compensation.
Other Teams Monitoring Kuminga
- The Cleveland Cavaliers, coached by Kuminga’s former Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson, have interest but are waiting for clarity on the LeBron James situation before pursuing the forward.
- The Sacramento Kings, who aggressively pursued Kuminga last summer when he was a restricted free agent, have checked back in. Sacramento is short on cap space even after waiving DeMar DeRozan and would likely need a sign-and-trade, a path the club has been reluctant to explore so far.
- While a return to Atlanta remains possible, sources said the sides are not actively negotiating a new deal at this time.
Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, averaged 13.4 points and 4.5 rebounds last season with the Hawks.
Source: Hoops Rumors
