LeBron James is gone, and the Lakers need a starting-caliber wing BAD. They’re making it clear they want to build a younger roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and right now, the biggest hole is that starting wing spot. The front office has been working the market hard, chasing young, athletic talent to fill it. Their top target? Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga’s Commitment Is The Big Question Mark
NBA reporter Evan Sidery spilled the tea: there’s “mutual free agent interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers,” confirmed by Jovan Buha. The Lakers are definitely working “behind the scenes to secure Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition.” But, and this is a big but, those negotiations are dragging, taking “longer than expected.” That kind of delay always makes you wonder what’s really going on, doesn’t it? While Kuminga’s “untapped potential” makes him an “understandable priority,” the team has already started broadening its horizons.
Matisse Thybulle’s $45M Defense Is The Unexpected Answer
With Kuminga’s situation up in the air, the Lakers have started looking elsewhere, and they’ve registered interest in veteran 3-and-D wing Matisse Thybulle this week, according to Marc Stein. They’ve even already added Ziaire Williams to the roster, so they’re not just waiting around. Here’s the kicker: there’s a growing belief out there that Thybulle should be a priority *regardless* of what happens with Kuminga. Maxwell Ogden from Lake Show Life laid it out: if Thybulle gets a “clean bill of health in 2026,” the Lakers should absolutely “gamble on that efficiency translating to an offense where Luka Doncic consistently generates open looks for his teammates.”
The Lakers have struggled defensively “over the past several seasons” and desperately need “defensive-minded wings who can excel both on and away from the ball.” Thybulle is exactly that. Sure, there’s “some risk because of his injury history,” but his career $45 million in earnings speaks to his value when healthy. His defensive production could make that gamble worthwhile, especially if the Lakers can land him on a team-friendly contract. Ogden calls signing Thybulle to a minimum deal a “no-brainer,” even saying he should be a “priority signing regardless of what else transpires.”
The Lakers are clearly focused on shoring up their defense. If Thybulle can get healthy, he could make an “immediate impact on Los Angeles’ defense,” and that’s exactly what this team needs right now. Keep your eyes peeled, because the Lakers are hunting for talent, and Thybulle might just be the defensive monster they snatch up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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