The Los Angeles Lakers have been absolutely relentless in their pursuit of former Golden State Warriors champion Jonathan Kuminga this offseason, and now their path to landing him just got a whole lot clearer. Ever since LeBron James packed his bags at the start of free agency, the Lakers have been on a mission to find an athletic wing. They’ve been busy reshaping their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but Kuminga was always seen as that crucial piece, a potential replacement for the starting wing role James held down for eight seasons. The problem? Kuminga wants big money, and the competition was stiff.
Kuminga’s $20 Million Play Just Got Real
Let’s talk money, because that’s what Kuminga is doing! According to The Athletic, he’s demanding a salary exceeding $20 million annually in free agency. Who wouldn’t want that kind of cash? He’s also not just looking for any old deal; Kuminga prefers a sign-and-trade from the Hawks. Why? Those added financial implications are no joke. For a while, it looked like a two-horse race, with NBA reporter Evan Sidery saying the Cavaliers and Lakers were the finalists for Kuminga. Cleveland, especially, was the primary team battling L.A. for his services. But oh, how fast things can change in the league!
The Cavs Just Opened The Door Wide
Cleveland made a huge move on Sunday, and it could be exactly what the Lakers needed. The Cavaliers signed EuroLeague star Mario Hezonja to a one-year, $2.8 million deal. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the details, noting Hezonja was the No. 5 pick way back in the 2015 draft and last played in 2019-20. This guy’s getting a shot to revitalize his NBA career, and he’s set to play a key wing role for those Eastern Conference finalists. But here’s the kicker: this signing puts the Cavaliers in a seriously interesting position regarding Kuminga. NBA insider Brett Siegel didn’t mince words, suggesting that with Hezonja heading to Cleveland, it leaves the Lakers as the *only* realistic team still pursuing the former NBA champion. Talk about a plot twist!
Siegel is even expecting a sign-and-trade involving Jarred Vanderbilt to be completed there with the Hawks. But hold up, Atlanta isn’t going to just give Kuminga away for nothing. The Hawks need to get meaningful value in return for any sign-and-trade. The Lakers have been aggressively chasing Kuminga all offseason, and while he isn’t going to accept just any contract offer, Cleveland’s latest move has thrown the door wide open for Los Angeles. It’s crunch time for the Lakers to seal this deal and get their man.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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