​The Los Angeles Lakers have already moved to shore up one of their top offseason priorities by strengthening the frontcourt, yet the door remains open for additional moves. After signing veteran center Kevon Looney to back up newly acquired starter Walker Kessler, the Lakers reportedly have one roster spot left to fill. One player firmly on the organization’s radar is restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, with the Lakers tied to a two-year, $20 million deal for the athletic forward, according to the Los Angeles Times. If that arrangement comes together, it would mark another calculated gamble by the Lakers—one aimed at balancing upside with financial flexibility while addressing a clear need on the wing.
Kuminga, who is listed at 6-foot-7 with elite athleticism, would bring a unique blend of versatility and projectability to the Lakers’ lineup. A two-year, $20 million commitment would be a relatively modest investment for a 23-year-old with significant bounce-back potential. At approximately $10 million per season, Los Angeles would be wagering on a talent who still has room to mature and develop into a higher-impact player, without locking the franchise into a long-term, heavy salary. It’s the kind of strategic move teams often undertake when they believe a player could blossom into a larger role but aren’t yet ready to guarantee major long-term financial commitments.
From Kuminga’s perspective, a short-term deal with the Lakers would offer an immediate stage to demonstrate his ability to serve as a reliable contributor on a competitive club. After time with both the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks last season, Kuminga posted averages of 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Those numbers reflect solid production, but they don’t yet establish him as a consistent starter or a franchise cornerstone. A two-year stint in Los Angeles would give him a platform to prove that he belongs in a more prominent role, while the surrounding structure of a playoff-contending team could amplify his development and showcase his strengths to the league.
For the Lakers, this potential move would serve multiple strategic purposes. It would preserve future cap flexibility, a critical consideration as the team continues to balance present needs with long-term planning. It would also add another young, athletic wing who could grow alongside the organization’s new core, enhancing depth and versatility. Kuminga’s ability to defend multiple positions, finish at the rim, and excel in transition would complement a roster built around Luka Dončić’s playmaking, creating easier scoring opportunities for teammates and providing another dynamic option on the wing.
The Lakers’ offseason has been geared toward building a framework around Dončić’s talents, with each addition aimed at reinforcing the roles that maximize his strengths. Walker Kessler fortifies the middle, Kevon Looney delivers veteran depth at the center position, and Kuminga could address what remains one of the team’s most pressing needs: a difference-maker at small forward. Kuminga’s combination of length, athleticism, and versatility could make him a valuable fit on a Lakers squad designed to play with pace and spread the floor while still providing multi-positional defense.
Of course, there are considerations for both sides to negotiate. Kuminga’s developmental trajectory will factor into whether the Lakers view him as a long-term piece or a short-term transitional player. For Kuminga, proving that he can shoot more consistently from the perimeter and refine decision-making on the offensive end will be essential to earning a substantial payday beyond the two-year deal. The structure of the contract would be important as well, ensuring both security and the right amount of financial flexibility for future moves.
Ultimately, the possibility of Kuminga landing in Los Angeles would represent a calculated bet by a franchise intent on maintaining a balance between upside and practicality. If the two-year, $20 million arrangement comes to fruition, it would signal the Lakers’ willingness to invest in a young, high-upside wing who could develop into a key component of the team’s broader championship ambitions. The move would align with the Lakers’ broader strategy of building around Dončić by adding versatile, athletic players who can contribute in multiple ways while preserving cap space for further enhancements as the season progresses.