​The Lakers remain determined to add Jonathan Kuminga to their reshaped roster as they explore sign-and-trade options and other moves to build around Luka Dončić. Getty The goal of Los Angeles is clear: secure Kuminga, the 23-year-old forward who could fit into their revamped lineup. Whether the restricted free agent can actually be landed is another matter entirely. During a Bleacher Report livestream from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Thursday, veteran NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein laid out the clearest picture yet of where the Lakers stand in their pursuit of Kuminga and why the path is so challenging.
The update outlined three major hurdles: persuading the Atlanta Hawks to cooperate in a sign-and-trade, bridging a sizable contract gap with Kuminga, and maneuvering the Lakers’ already tight finances after an aggressive offseason. Despite these obstacles, Fischer left no doubt about the Lakers’ intent. “The Lakers very much want Jonathan Kuminga,” he stated.
This summer, the Lakers have already reshaped much of their roster around Dončić. They acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz, added free agents Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Kevon Looney, and subsequently drafted Jaden Hardy after dealing Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards. Stein noted that, beyond Kuminga, the Lakers have largely completed the offseason plans they envisioned. That groundwork has allowed president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka to continue pursuing ways to add another young, high-upside wing.
Fischer indicated that the Lakers have repeatedly made offers to Kuminga but have not approached the salary level the former Warriors lottery pick is believed to be seeking. “They have made offers to Jonathan Kuminga repeatedly,” Fischer said. “Last I heard, two years, $20 million was what the Lakers were hoping for.” He added that Kuminga is likely aiming for a contract closer to the $25 million annually that surfaced in negotiations with Golden State last offseason. “I do believe that Kuminga is looking for something more than that $25 million ballpark that he landed last year from Golden State,” Fischer noted. “Quite frankly, I find it difficult to imagine he’s going to find that number on this marketplace.”
Stein agreed that the current market has not been favorable to Kuminga. “If he can get 20 over two at this point in the summer, given where’s the other cap space?” Stein asked. “There’s no cap space left anywhere, really.” Even if the Lakers and Kuminga eventually land on contract terms, another hurdle remains. Stein suggested the Hawks could be willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade under the right circumstances, noting that “The Hawks seem amenable to it.”
The broader context is that the Lakers are weighing every option to wrap this around Dončić, with Kuminga at the center of their wing-target ambitions. As they continue to navigate pay scales, cap space constraints, and the Hawks’ willingness to cooperate in a potential sign-and-trade, the likelihood of a Kuminga deal hinges on a delicate balance of financial feasibility, contract structure, and the willingness of Atlanta to engage in the trade. The Lakers’ pursuit of Kuminga remains their top priority as they seek to shape a competitive, high-upside roster around Dončić, through a combination of signings, sign-and-trades, and strategic deals aligned with their long-term plans.