Significant momentum is now building towards Jonathan Kuminga soon finalizing a contract with the Lakers, and word on the street is the former NBA champion wants to land in Los Angeles.
The Lakers’ All-In Play for Kuminga
This team is seriously trying to prove they can still be a force, even with LeBron James out of the picture. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are clearly the new faces of the franchise, and they’ve got a ton to show everyone this season. The biggest glaring hole in their roster? A starting power forward. And who have they been eyeing for a *long* time to fill it? Jonathan Kuminga. Reports from guys like Jovan Buha have highlighted significant interest, while Evan Sidery has pointed to genuine mutual free agent interest between Kuminga and the Lakers. Los Angeles has been grinding behind the scenes for quite some time now, doing everything they possibly can to lock down Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition. We’re talking a strong, strong pitch to Kuminga, even putting a concrete contract offer on the table! Sidery dropped the news that the Lakers put a sign-and-trade deal on the table, reportedly worth around $45 million. To make this deal happen, they’re reportedly ready to ship out Jarred Vanderbilt and some valuable draft capital to the Hawks for Kuminga. Oh, and for any sign-and-trade agreement, Kuminga would need to sign at least a three-year deal. That’s how badly they want him to be a cornerstone.
Race Thins Out, Kuminga’s Focus Sharpens
The path to Kuminga landing in Los Angeles just got a whole lot clearer, too. Wednesday night saw the Cleveland Cavaliers grab Peyton Watson, a move that effectively pulled them right out of the Kuminga sweepstakes. That’s a huge shift in the landscape! Then, by Thursday morning, the reports started flying: Los Angeles was undeniably gaining serious momentum towards snagging this former NBA champion. Evan Sidery confirmed it, saying that with the Cavs making their move and picking Watson instead, Kuminga’s options are now down to just two teams: the Lakers or the Timberwolves. And here’s the absolute kicker, the biggest piece of the puzzle: Kuminga’s preferred landing spot? You guessed it, the Lakers. This is killer news for LA, who are in desperate need of Kuminga to plug a massive hole in their starting lineup. They are not just interested, they *need* this guy.
The Lakers have been relentless, spending the entire offseason pitching Kuminga on the incredible opportunity to become a significant piece alongside star power like Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. He was on a $46 million contract last season, so there’s no question about the caliber of player they’re chasing here. After what feels like two long months of intense negotiations and all the uncertainty swirling around, it truly seems like the Lakers are finally, *finally* closing in on a deal that has been a long time coming. This lengthy free-agency saga appears to be nearing its end, and when it’s done, it could fundamentally change the entire outlook for Los Angeles and their new-look core. Keep an eye out for this one, folks!
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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