​The Lakers have reorganized their roster this offseason, prioritizing players who fit Luka Doncic’s game and style of play. Los Angeles invested heavily to secure a center in Walker Kessler, who will, hopefully, be healthy and able to anchor the middle. They also re-signed Austin Reaves to serve as the secondary shot creator alongside Doncic, and added a versatile two-way wing in Quentin Grimes to strengthen their perimeter defense and floor presence. With one open roster spot remaining, the Lakers are weighing the option of adding wing Jonathan Kuminga, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
Kuminga has emerged as a target for the Lakers, with discussions circulating about a potential two-year, $20 million contract. His combination of length, athleticism, and defensive ability makes him attractive as a starter at small forward. The Cavaliers have also shown interest in Kuminga, but their plans could hinge on how the LeBron James situation unfolds, potentially giving Cleveland an advantage before they pivot to Kuminga.
From the Lakers’ perspective, Kuminga checks several boxes. He stands 6’7″ with the height to defend multiple positions and the athletic profile that the team values. Last season, he averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game and shot 33.3% from three-point range. His best asset has been his ability to handle the ball and create for himself, but he has also shown limitations when asked to operate primarily off the ball. In Steve Kerr’s ball-and-player movement system with the Warriors, Kuminga sometimes clashed with the coaching approach, which has raised questions about fit in a different system like the Lakers’.
A key consideration for Kuminga’s fit with Los Angeles is whether he can embrace a role as the No. 3 option, primarily working off the ball and knocking down three-pointers for a team built around Doncic and Reaves. The plan is to have the veteran Grimes serve as the more stable starter at the three, giving the Lakers a reliable defender and shooter in the starting lineup. Yet, the decision at training camp will hinge on how Kuminga acclimates to off-ball duties, and how he meshes with Doncic, Reaves, and Grimes as the roster takes shape.
The Lakers’ strategic approach centers on balancing fit, upside, and versatility. Kessler gives them a rim presence and defensive anchor, Reaves provides a reliable secondary creator, and Grimes contributes two-way value with defensive versatility and shooting. Kuminga represents a higher-risk, potentially higher-reward option, offering elite athleticism and projectable upside but requiring a tailored role and buy-in to off-ball duties. The question for Los Angeles is whether Kuminga’s offensive tools can be integrated effectively without disrupting the team’s established rhythm around Doncic and Reaves.
As training camp approaches, the Lakers’ front office will assess the full spectrum of options. The decision on Kuminga will depend on how well he adapts to a secondary-off-ball role, his shooting consistency, and whether his defense and floor-spacers can complement the team’s core group. If Kuminga signs, he would join a roster that values length, versatility, and two-way impact, with the aim of enhancing their championship ceiling while maintaining a cohesive, balanced lineup.