The Los Angeles Lakers were very active in the first few days of free agency. They overhauled their entire lineup, adding three new starters in the frontcourt. However, they are still in search of a forward to replace LeBron James and Rui Hachimura.
One forward they have shown interest in is Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga is a free agent after finishing last season with the Hawks. However, he has refused to sign a deal with any team, as he has not liked any of the deals offered to him. LA showed interest in him early on in the process.
However, one insider claims a deal is no closer to being done than when negotiations started.
GettyAtlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga holds the ball during a game. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Lakers Potential Deal With Jonathan Kuminga Has Stalled
According to Anthony Slater of ESPN, a potential deal with Kuminga has been stalled for weeks. It doesn’t sound like a deal with him is going to get done anytime soon, either.
“The Lakers met with Kuminga in the early hours of free agency, pitching him on a high-minutes role for a high-profile fringe contender in desperate need of athletic help on the wing. The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn’t satisfy all sides. The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks,” Slater wrote.
Other teams have emerged as suitors for Kuminga, as well. Both Cleveland and Minnesota would like to add him, as they are both in the market for a wing. However, neither has the cap space that Kuminga craves. He would likely have to sign a minimum deal with those teams.
If he signed with Los Angeles, a minimum deal might be the best he could do, as well. Quite frankly, the options for Kuminga are drying up fast. He might have to sign a minimum deal for one year and try his luck again next year, similar to the ordeal he found himself in Golden State last season.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic drives the ball in a game. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Has Its Roster Mostly Set
Barring a last-second deal for Kuminga, the Lakers have their roster mostly set. The rotation seems clear at this point, and Rob Pelinka built this team in the image of Luka Doncic. Doncic helped carry the Mavs to the Finals in 2024, and Pelinka built a similar team to the one that surrounded him in that season.
Bringing in Walker Kessler was a massive swing. Pelinka is hoping that he can help fix the defense, which was the 11th-worst in the NBA a year ago. If he doesn’t stay healthy, that could end up being a disastrous decision to trade for him and sign him to a massive deal.
Los Angeles is helped by the fact that the Western Conference has become the weaker conference, but beating San Antonio and OKC won’t be easy.
Lakers Potential Deal With Promising Forward ‘Stalled For Weeks’