The Los Angeles Lakers wanted Jonathan Kuminga, offering him the starting power forward spot right out the gate. But after a two-month battle, Kuminga said “nah,” officially signing a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That’s a gut punch, right? With Kuminga off the board, the Lakers are already sniffing around for their next play, and Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer just dropped a name that’s gonna turn some heads: Cam Whitmore.
Kuminga Left ‘Em Hanging
L.A. was all in on Kuminga, offering him the starting power forward spot right off the bat. That was a huge part of their pitch! Can you imagine the frustration when, after two months of battling for his signature, ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped the news that Kuminga inked a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves instead? That’s a massive blow to their plans. He’s heading to a Western Conference contender, set to start alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. The Lakers really thought they had their guy. Now they’re back to square one, scouring the market for alternatives.
Whitmore’s Wild Ride
So, enter Cam Whitmore. This dude’s had a rough go lately. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto just reported the Cleveland Cavaliers flat-out waived him. Think about that: the 20th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, cut! He was involved in a trade that sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland, and then BAM, waived almost immediately. It’s a brutal break for a guy who was on a $15 million rookie contract before getting shown the door. Whitmore’s stats with the Rockets and Wizards over three seasons aren’t bad either: 10.5 points, shooting 45% from the field and 35% from three in just 17.3 minutes. He’s a capable volume shooter, a real offensive weapon. Fischer’s intel is that Whitmore even has two-way eligibility, and with no guaranteed roster spots on the table, a two-way contract might be his only real option. For the Lakers? This could be a genius low-risk, high-reward move. Imagine him providing offense next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. It’s a huge opportunity for Whitmore, who’s seen his career take a crazy turn.
The Lakers whiffed on Kuminga, but now they’ve got a chance to grab a talented, albeit recently waived, former first-rounder in Whitmore. This isn’t just a consolation prize; it’s a chance for a young player to find his footing and potentially become a key piece for a team looking for offensive firepower. If they can get Whitmore on a two-way deal, it could be a steal for L.A. and a fresh start for a player with something to prove.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply