​Just over a week into NBA free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have filled many of their roster gaps, yet one hole remains unaddressed: a legitimate starting two-way forward. The search for a true high-level answer at that role has been slim, but Jonathan Kuminga, a 23-year-old forward, stands out as the one available free agent who still has a real chance to meet that need. Kuminga has not yet tapped into his full potential and has drawn questions about intangible factors, but his natural ability on both ends of the court aligns with what the Lakers want and require from a wing or forward.
The Lakers reportedly met with Kuminga last week, but nothing concrete materialized at the time. There is, however, mutual interest between Kuminga and the Lakers, according to Khobi Price of the California Post. One obstacle looming is the Lakers’ limited salary-cap flexibility to sign Kuminga to a satisfactory deal as a straightforward unrestricted free agent. A possible pathway exists, though: the Atlanta Hawks, who finished the season with Kuminga after acquiring him via a trade, are open to a sign-and-trade and are also willing to take on Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, a contract that many teams view as a negative due to his offensive limitations.
Price notes that the Hawks want the Lakers to include their lone available first-round pick swap to facilitate such a deal. The core option that could help the Lakers land Kuminga would be a sign-and-trade with Atlanta, enabling Kuminga to earn a higher salary than L.A. can offer him as a free agent. A source cited by the California Post said the Hawks would pursue a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around a framework in which Kuminga moves to the Lakers while the Hawks receive Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap—the only first-round pick the Lakers can trade this summer. In addition, Los Angeles has three second-round picks (the Wizards’ two picks and its own 2033 pick) that could be part of any such deal.
For Kuminga, a contract would need to span at least three or four seasons (excluding option years), with the first season fully guaranteed if acquired via a sign-and-trade. The Los Angeles Times’ Brad Turner recently reported that the Lakers are considering a two-year, roughly $20 million contract for Kuminga. Other suitors, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, have also shown interest in pursuing him.
Physically, Kuminga is an extremely athletic 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward who can finish strongly at the rim, especially in transition. His nearly seven-foot wingspan suggests potential as an impactful defender. Offensively, however, Kuminga has been a below-average 3-point shooter for most of his five NBA seasons, and questions about his focus, work ethic, motor, and overall attitude persist.
In his five-year pro career, Kuminga has posted career averages of about 12.5 points on 50.2% shooting and 4.2 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game. He was the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft and earned an NBA championship as a rookie with the Golden State Warriors. As the Lakers weigh their options, Kuminga represents the type of tantalizing, high-upside upgrade at forward that could unlock a more versatile and resilient roster if the pieces align in a sign-and-trade scenario with the Hawks, bringing him to L.A. and offering Atlanta some compensation they deem valuable.