Well. The Los Angeles Lakers need someone to start at power forward for them next season. That’s why they have been after Jonathan Kuminga quite literally since the day LeBron James informed the franchise he wasn’t going to return for the 2026-27 season.
We may be headed toward September, but it doesn’t appear that the Kuminga stalemate is coming to an end in the coming days … or maybe even weeks.
“I know the Lakers would still love to acquire him. … That is certainly on the table still,” NBA insider Keith Smith said on “NBA Front Office.” “But Kuminga is still holding out for a much bigger contract than it looks like he’s headed to get right now.”
Kuminga is seeking a larger deal, certainly more than the two-year, $20 million contract the Lakers offered him over a month ago.But is paying an unproven 23-year-old much more than that actually worth it when the Lakers might be able to bring back a familiar, proven face?
This Former Lakers Star May Be a Much Better Option Than Kuminga
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 15: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 15, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Lakers fans know him well. He is Julius Randle, the three-time All-Star who was traded to the Brooklyn Nets earlier this offseason in a deal that sent LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nets are rebuilding and wouldn’t mind unloading the greater than $60 million dollars remaining on Randle’s deal. Meanwhile, the Lakers would love to find someone to take Jarred Vanderbilt’s nearly $30 million contract off their hands, especially considering he has been a non factor.
Here’s a simple trade framework that could bring Randle back to Los Angeles.
Lakers receive: Julius Randle, Cam Christie and a 2033 second round pick (via LAC)
Nets receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden Hardy and a 2031 second round pick (from LAL, via WAS)
Clippers receive: Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht
The Clippers add two young rotation pieces to fill out the final spots on their roster. The Nets send Randle to the Lakers and take back Vanderbilt and Hardy, generating $10.5 million in cap room, which would by far be the most of any team in the league. A similar trade involving Michael Porter Jr. would give Brooklyn enough wealth to go out and sign multiple superstar free agents next summer.
Meanwhile, the Lakers get an All-Star level power forward they know they can rely on to play major minutes and produce at a high clip.
Why Randle Makes Sense for L.A.
It may be easy to forget that Randle was a key piece to a team that went to two Western Conference finals in two of the last three seasons. A two-time All-NBA performer, Randle produced 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while logging shooting splits of 48/32/80.
Randle would slide directly into the Lakers’ starting power forward position and would be counted on to deliver 17-20 points per game as the team’s third scoring option.
Kuminga may be younger and have elite defensive tools, but Randle is a proven playoff starter who has shown he can be a pivotal piece on a team that has made multiple deep postseason runs.
Proposed Trade Reunites Lakers With 2x All-NBA PF, Solves Biggest Roster Need