The 2026 offseason was exactly what it needed to be for the Los Angeles Lakers. Rob Pelinka finally pulled the plug on the LeBron James era and ushered in a new chapter centered around Luka Doncic.
There are mixed reactions to the moves the Lakers made this summer, but with the roster Pelinka has built and Luka at the helm, LA has a shot at an NBA title in 2026-27. The only thing this Lakers team is missing is an athletic defensive wing. Thankfully, they are still hunting for one in Jonathan Kuminga.
In a recent episode of Hoops Talk with Allen Sliwa, ESPN’s Anthony Slater said that the Lakers are the “hungriest suitor” for Jonathan Kuminga.
Had @anthonyVslater join the show this morning to discuss the latest on Jonathan Kuminga.
— Allen Sliwa (@AllenSliwa) August 11, 2026
Slater says the Lakers remain the “hungriest suitor” for Kuminga as their pursuit continues.
Here’s the clip 👇 pic.twitter.com/HjAtwtIKjG
Although the career of Kuminga in recent years has far more downs than ups, he could provide this Lakers team with exactly what they’re missing on the wing.
It could only be a matter of time before Jonathan Kuminga joins the Lakers
Pelinka has built a strong foundation around his star this summer, one very similar to the 2024 Dallas Mavericks team that Luka led to the NBA Finals.
Pelinka has given him that secondary scorer and ball handler in Austin Reaves, a rim-protecting lob threat in Walker Kessler, and floor spacers in Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Although I do believe Ziaire Williams has a chance to surprise people as a savvy point-of-attack defender, he and Kuminga are in completely different tiers.
At 23 years old, Kuminga is just searching for an opportunity to have a real role.
For years, Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors stunted the former seventh overall pick's growth. When he first came into the league, there were discussions that, with the right development, he could develop into a player similar to Jaylen Brown. His downhill scoring, big physical frame, and two-way upside had him projected as an important player for the post-Steph Curry Warriors.
When looking at the little flexibility teams have left in free agency, the Lakers might very well be Kuminga’s best option. Not just because they can offer him a solid payday, but because he would get to join a team led by a star like Luka, who has helped revive and rejuvenate players in the past.
Take Derrick Jones Jr., for example.
He’s similar to Kuminga in his length, two-way tools, and athleticism, but looked like someone who could be trending toward being out of the league before playing with Luka. That one season with the Mavericks gave his career new life and set him up for a payday the following offseason.
With Slater reporting that LA is making its interest known and is hungry for Kuminga’s services, they are only adding to the list of reasons he would want to come to join the Lakeshow. At the end of the day, we are all human, and the feeling of being wanted is nearly unmatched.
In Golden State and Atlanta, Kuminga wasn’t wanted. For the Lakers to make it clear they want him strengthens Pelinka’s chances of landing the final piece of his roster.
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