The Los Angeles Lakers have been extremely active this offseason, but they still have a few holes to fill. The Lakers are reportedly enamored with unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga; can a deal get done?
Lakers Still Enamored with Jonathan Kuminga as They Look to Finalize Roster, Will They Work Out A Trade?
The Lakers have been very active this offseason, making five trades, adding seven newcomers, and re-signing Austin Reaves to a max contract. Still, the Lakers are looking to fill one of their starting forward spots, hence the love for Kuminga.
“The Lakers are clearly still looking at Jonathan Kuminga as being their starting wing,” NBA Insider Jake Fischer said via Bleacher Report.
Over his five years as a pro, Kuminga has shown the ability to score, but consistency has been a problem for the 23-year-old. This past postseason showed classic Kuminga. The 6-7 forward scored a combined 40 points on 16 of 26 shooting from the field in Games 2 and 3 of Atlanta’s first-round series against New York while the Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the series. But he made only 13 of his 34 shots in the other games and was 5-for-24 (20.8%) from the 3-point line in the series.
More significantly, Kuminga’s efficiency has declined over the last two seasons. However, he did show improvement in that area over the Hawks after being traded by Golden State at the trade deadline. In 16 regular-season games with Atlanta, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds (1.3 offensive) and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from the 3-point line.
The Lakers are among a couple of teams that have been pursuing Kuminga for the last couple of weeks. Kuminga has a two-year, $20 million offer on the table from the team, per Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkland. However, he is reportedly seeking a deal worth at least $15 million a season,
That Kuminga two-year, $20 million contract offer is off the table. Would need to be a sign-and-trade at this point. https://t.co/vTpN2WJEpn
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) July 12, 2026
Should The Lakers Trade For Kuminga?
Before diving into whether the Lakers and Kuminga can agree, here is a look at how he potentially fits. Kuminga projects as an ideal fit with the Lakers alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, as he thrives at getting downhill and attacking the rim. He would become the third scorer that the Lakers desperately need with Rui Hachimura and LeBron James‘ departures.
Kuminga is an explosive athlete who loves to get out in transition. Kuminga can check all three frontcourt spots while also switching onto guards. But he isn’t a great rebounder, and his shooting and turnovers are concerns for the Lakers. Additionally, he isn’t a great team defender despite being a solid individual defender and having the tools to be elite on that end.
The Lakers have 14 players on standard contracts and are $13 million below the first apron, where they are hardcapped. The Lakers do need to add another starter or point guard. The Lakers can now only offer free agents the veteran minimum, as they used their room exception to sign Collin Sexton.
Sexton can fill the Lakers’ third scorer, but he is also their backup point guard. Reaves and Bronny James can also handle the ball, though James isn’t ready for a full-time role. It is possible that Quentin Grimes, who averaged nearly 22 points in his 28 appearances for Philadelphia in 2024-25, could step up his production and be a reliable third or fourth scorer. Rookie Cameron Carr could eventually fill one of those roles, though not likely to start the season.
So, as Starkland mentioned above, the Lakers would need to work out a sign-and-trade for Kuminga. That is unlikely to happen.
The Hawks own Kuminga’s Bird rights, meaning they can re-sign him at the cost, except when going over the first apron, where they are hardcapped. But the Hawks have 16 players on standard contracts and would have to shed two contracts to sign Kuminga. They can waive Mo Gueye‘s nonguaranteed contract to free up about $21 million under the apron, though they would also have to waive and stretch, or find a trade partner for, Devin Carter or Buddy Hield.
Plus, Atlanta would have to take Jarred Vanderbilt back, and they have been resistant to that idea, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported. Vanderbilt is due $12.4 million with a $13.2 million player option for 2027-28. He has struggled with his efficiency the last two seasons.
‘I also don’t think the Lakers are just like trying to shop Jarred Vanderbilt around the league, Fischer contributed. “I haven’t gotten that sense, either.’
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
