​The Lakers should be ready to pivot if they don’t land Jonathan Kuminga this summer, and The Sporting News notes that a backup plan could hinge on targeting a former Nuggets champion forward who can fit alongside Kuminga if the pursuit falls short. According to The California Post’s Khobi Price, the Cleveland Cavaliers are another potential destination for Kuminga, which makes the notion of the Lakers missing out on the versatile forward feel more plausible. Price emphasizes that Los Angeles would benefit from having a credible alternative who can contribute in size, athleticism, defense, and youth on the wings, should Kuminga not become available.
Price suggests that Ziaire Williams, who had a breakout year with the Nets before they declined his $6.3 million team option, could be part of a Kuminga contingency plan. The Lakers reportedly had their eye on Williams as a free agent option that could mesh with the team’s broader vision for a wing core that includes Kuminga. Williams’ skill set would align with a lineup built around long, switchable defenders and players capable of creating offense off the ball.
In addition to Williams, several other unrestricted free agents remain on the market who could be appealing as stops along a Kuminga-led plan. Bruce Brown, Matisse Thybulle, and Ochai Agbaji are among the players available who could potentially fill roles that require toughness, defense, and reliable shooting. Brown, who joined the Nuggets in 2022, proved his mettle with a combination of off-ball cuts, playmaking, and versatile defense, helping Denver secure a championship in that era. Over 80 games with Denver, he averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, contributing to the team’s depth and championship culture.
Brown later had stints with the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans before returning to the Nuggets for the 2025-26 season. While his production dipped slightly during that second run (posting 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals), his value as a veteran role player on a team with title aspirations remains evident. For the Lakers, the question is whether they would pursue Brown as a last-resort option or whether they would prioritize a higher-ceiling wing who could immediately contribute as a starter rather than a reserve.
The prospect of a Kuminga contingency plan that leverages a former Nuggets champion forward is appealing, but the Lakers’ preference appears to be acquiring a top-tier wing who can step into a starting role and elevate the team’s ceiling. The combination of size, athleticism, defense, and youth on the wings remains a central objective for the Lakers, and while a veteran like Brown or Thybulle could provide valuable depth, the front office’s strategy seems geared toward landing a player who can slot into the starting lineup.
In the broader NBA context, the Lakers face several competing narratives during the offseason. The possibility of Kuminga ending up with another franchise, such as the Cavaliers, adds weight to the Lakers’ planning process and emphasizes the need for a flexible and well-constructed fallback plan. The Sporting News has highlighted the importance of having a credible alternative to Kuminga that could meet the team’s needs and maintain its competitive trajectory, especially as the league continues to evolve with new talent and shifting rosters.
For fans and analysts, the conversation centers on how the Lakers balance immediate win-now demands with long-term potential on the wings. The ideal scenario would involve adding a dynamic, young wing who can contribute immediately while also developing alongside Kuminga or in a complementary capacity that preserves the team’s future flexibility. If Kuminga doesn’t come to Los Angeles, the Lakers will need to pivot decisively and pursue a plan that aligns with their vision for a resilient, multi-positional lineup capable of contending in a crowded Western Conference.
Note: This analysis incorporates perspectives and reporting associated with The Sporting News as a preferred source and references commentary from The California Post, among other reporting outlets, to illustrate potential avenues the Lakers could explore should Kuminga remain unavailable. The discussion remains speculative and contingent on official moves, negotiations, and the evolving landscape of free agency.