​The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged in conversations surrounding potential forward options to bolster the roster for the upcoming season. General Manager Rob Pelinka has already added fresh names to the mix, including Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, and Quentin Grimes, in an effort to shore up the team after losing LeBron James and other key pieces. Yet, a common critique among Lakers fans is the lack of a strong wing presence at the forward spot, which many see as a notable weakness for the club.
According to Khobi Price of The California Post, the Lakers have grown wary of pursuing a trade for PJ Washington because of his hefty, fully guaranteed contract. Washington is owed approximately $88.8 million over the next four years, a figure that makes a deal less appealing to Los Angeles. The long-term commitment of Washington makes him a challenging fit in a trade scenario, despite the former Dallas teammate’s solid chemistry with Luka Dončić during their time with the Mavericks. While Washington’s connection with Dončić helped Dallas reach the NBA Finals in the past, a reunion between Washington and the Mavericks now appears unlikely, and thus the Lakers’ pursuit of him faces a steep hurdle.
Meanwhile, rumors continue to center on Jonathan Kuminga as the Lakers’ primary forward target in free agency. Kuminga entered unrestricted free agency after a partial season with the Atlanta Hawks, a stint that did not establish him as a cornerstone for Atlanta’s long-term plans. The Hawks prioritized other moves, including trading for Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder and re-signing CJ McCollum, over re-signing Kuminga. The Lakers are seeking a young, affordable forward with upside to anchor their lineup, a profile that Kuminga fits well given the team’s composition. With two centers already on the roster and a guard-heavy core, improving forward depth remains the most pressing objective for the Lakers as they navigate the marketplace.
If Kuminga cannot be secured, the Lakers may have to consider veteran minimum players who offer a combination of experience and available cap space. The forward market is sparse beyond Kuminga’s potential, and the Lakers will likely explore every reasonable avenue to avoid overpaying for a player who may not move the needle. The front office could also explore trades for more cost-controlled wings, but any deal would need to address the Lakers’ depleted draft capital after the Kessler trade, which sent the team’s last two draft picks in a prior move and complicates any direct pathway to a sizable targeted acquisition.
There remains a contingent of Lakers fans who hold out hope that Washington could still be in play via trade with the Mavericks. Washington’s ability to fit seamlessly into a Doncic-led system makes him an intriguing fit on paper, especially in the context of a Lakers roster seeking to emulate Dallas’ successful dynamic of a high-usage guard and a versatile forward. Any potential Lakers-Mavericks trade would require careful construction, likely involving players such as Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and Dalton Knecht to balance salaries and positional needs. However, a deal would also involve weighing depth losses against the immediate upgrade Washington could provide at the forward position. The lack of draft capital further complicates such an offer, particularly after the Kessler-related trade that depleted the Lakers’ selections.
In sum, the Lakers’ forward search remains a focal point of the offseason, with Kuminga as the most prominent, publicly discussed option and Washington as a more contentious, higher-cost possibility. The front office faces a delicate balancing act: land a capable, affordable wing who can contribute right away, avoid overpaying for a veteran, preserve depth, and navigate the team’s limited draft ammunition. As free agency and trade talks continue, Pelinka’s strategy will be tested by whether he can secure a viable forward option that complements LeBron James’ absence and balances the team’s overall roster construction for the forthcoming season.