Jonathan Kuminga remains an unrestricted free agent, and even after signing other players, the Los Angeles Lakers are still relentlessly pursuing him. This saga has been wild ever since the Atlanta Hawks declined Kuminga’s team option, immediately linking him to the Lakers. With LeBron James and Rui Hachimura both gone, LA has a major void at forward, making Kuminga a prime target for their wing position. There were rumors the Hawks were open to a sign-and-trade, and reports even suggested the Lakers offered Kuminga a two-year, $20 million contract. Yet, here we are, and nothing got done. Kuminga is still out there, and the Lakers are clearly not done trying to land their future wing.
The Lakers Aren’t Giving Up on Their Wing Hunt
Despite previous talks stalling, the Lakers have made other moves, reportedly signing Matisse Thybulle and officially bringing in Ziaire Williams. You’d think that would be enough, right? Maybe they’d move on. Nope. On Thursday’s episode of “NBA Today,” reporter Anthony Slater dropped a bombshell, stating that the Lakers “keep calling” about Kuminga. Slater even revealed part of their pitch: “Hey, you can come start here potentially.” That tells you everything you need to know: the Lakers are far from done making moves. They believe they are still weak on the wing, even with Thybulle and Williams on board. They need “more juice” out there. The whole situation is complicated, especially because LeBron James’ decision is apparently affecting Kuminga’s market and what kind of deal he might get.
Kuminga’s Waiting Game and Pelinka’s Play
This late into free agency, there’s absolutely no reason for Kuminga to rush into anything. A few teams are reportedly holding off for LeBron’s decision, and it’s likely that once that domino falls, Kuminga can then assess the financial landscape from other teams and sign where it makes the most sense for him. The Lakers’ offer of a potential starting spot and the undeniable attention that comes with playing in LA are certainly alluring, but clearly, that alone hasn’t been enough to seal the deal. Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka is playing this smart. Kuminga would be a great addition to their wing, and until he puts pen to paper with another team, it makes total sense to keep making those calls. Plus, if Kuminga does sign elsewhere, the Lakers aren’t left empty-handed. They’ve got options like Thybulle, Williams, and even Adou Thiero to rely on.
This whole Kuminga saga is far from over. Keep your eyes peeled on how LeBron’s decision impacts the market, and whether Pelinka’s persistent calls can finally land the Lakers their much-needed wing. This is definitely one to watch as the roster picture takes shape.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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