The Los Angeles Lakers have been on an absolute tear adding talent this offseason, bringing in guys like Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Zhaire Williams, Collin Sexton, and Matisse Thybulle to bolster Luka Doncic’s crew. But even with all those moves, they’re not done yet. The roster is nearly complete, sure, but there’s still one more spot to fill to hit that 15-man requirement. And for weeks, everyone’s been eyeing former Golden State Warriors champ Jonathan Kuminga as that final, explosive piece to the puzzle.
Kuminga’s Price Tag Is Causing Major Headaches
Here’s where things get wild. According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, signing Kuminga isn’t a pipe dream, but it’s not a slam dunk either. We are talking about a hefty $45 million deal over three years in a potential sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. The problem? Kuminga himself is reportedly looking for closer to $20 million annually, north of $15 million, while that $45 million offer works out to exactly $15 million per year. “There’s a gap right there between the two sides,” Buha said, suggesting that a three-year, $45 million offer is a “middle ground” that neither side truly loves. It’s less than Kuminga wants, and it’s more than the Lakers initially wanted to pay. Talk about a tightrope walk!
The Competition Is Heating Up, Fast
What complicates things even more for the Lakers is the rising competition. That Kuminga-Lakers pairing everyone thought was a sure thing a few weeks ago? Yeah, not so much anymore. While the Hawks are totally on board with a sign-and-trade, the actual agreement that benefits everyone is still missing. And to make matters worse, the Milwaukee Bucks just crashed the Kuminga sweepstakes as the newest contender. The Cleveland Cavaliers are also keeping a very close eye on the situation, per NBA reporter Evan Sidery. That means the Lakers are not just negotiating with Kuminga’s camp and the Hawks, they are now fighting off other teams who want this explosive 23-year-old wing for their long-term investment.
This whole situation is getting dicey. The Lakers are in a prime position to add Kuminga, but only if they are willing to give up the draft capital the Hawks are asking for. It’s a huge gamble, especially with other teams sniffing around. There’s a real chance the Lakers could head into the 2026-27 season without Kuminga on board, and that would definitely leave a hole in that “nearly complete” roster. We’ll be watching to see if Rob Pelinka can pull this off or if another team snatches him up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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