The Cleveland Cavaliers just officially pulled out of the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes, grabbing Peyton Watson instead, and that leaves the Los Angeles Lakers as one of just two teams still in the running for the soon-to-be-24-year-old forward. L.A. could seriously use some more size and athleticism, but the big question is whether Kuminga is actually worth what it’s gonna cost to land him.
Can the Lakers Even Afford This?
Here’s the rub: the Lakers are in a tough spot financially. They can only offer Kuminga a minimum salary in free agency. So, a sign-and-trade with the Hawks is pretty much his only real path to any new team. And Atlanta? They’re looking for a deal that starts at 120 percent of last season’s $23.8 million salary, plus they want some “sweeteners” like young talent or draft assets. That’s a huge price tag for the Lakers. Sure, they can get to around $18 million in tradable salary with Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia, but Kuminga hasn’t exactly proven he’s worth giving up that kind of depth in a two-for-one deal.
A Risky Gamble, But Maybe Worth It?
Let’s be real: Kuminga’s production over five seasons, with averages of 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds, has been solid but unspectacular. His career 33.1 three-point percentage is just okay, and his scoring efficiency is barely above average. Plus, the dude needs to pass more. Remember, Golden State already traded him, and Atlanta straight-up declined his 2026-27 team option! That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. He’d be far from a lock for the Lakers’ starting five. But as this offseason drags on, Kuminga and his people have to realize he’s not gonna command the massive payday they want. They went through this exact same dance last summer, right? When that realization finally hits, L.A. might be able to snag him in a sign-and-trade closer to Vanderbilt’s $12.4 million salary, with Atlanta getting a pick swap or a second-rounder or two. That kind of risk is way easier to swallow when you’re paying him like a reserve.
How Kuminga Fits the Puzzle
Even with the shooting struggles and a lack of other contributions, Kuminga still has more upside than a 27-year-old like Vanderbilt. And think about this: he’s never shared the floor with a playmaker like Luka Dončić. While Kuminga would likely come off the bench, his minutes would definitely overlap with Luka’s. Imagine defenders swarming Dončić and Austin Reaves. Kuminga could feast on all those open looks. His potential as a play finisher around the rim, as a cutter and lob finisher, has been totally underutilized because he’s spent too much time trying to be a ball-handler and from-scratch scorer. Luka’s presence would almost certainly force that shift, and at the right price, that could be a huge win for the Lakers. It all comes down to what Kuminga and his reps are willing to accept. Keep your eyes peeled as this offseason drama unfolds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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