Jonathan Kuminga and the Los Angeles Lakers have been stuck in a Wild West standoff for the majority of free agency. To this point, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office have held firm on not overpaying for the free agent forward, and they are right to do so.
Would Kuminga be a good addition to the Lakers? Depending on his willingness to embrace a new type of role, he could be. However, Los Angeles must keep the bigger picture in mind, and that involves not losing out on next summer's nontaxpayer midlevel exception.
Trevor Lane said it on an episode of The Lakers Collective: "People say, 'Why don't the Lakers just go pay Jonathan Kuminga more?' Because they want to have the flexibility to use that MLE next summer. ... They want to be able to go add that final piece via that MLE."
Perhaps there are some out there who would sell themselves on the idea of Kuminga being worth sacrificing that extra financial wiggle room. Based on how the Lakers have operated, it is tough to count them among that crowd. They have worked too hard to set up that midlevel exception for 2027.
Lakers value the 2027 nontaxpayer midlevel exception over Jonathan Kuminga
Austin Reaves took less than what he could financially to give Pelinka and the front office a shot at that midlevel exception. Sandro Mamukelashvili also has a dip in his new contract to allow the Lakers that added breathing room next summer. This was all tactful.
The Lakers may like Kuminga. They have circled around him long enough to confirm as much. Even so, their line in the sand appears to be wanting him, but not at the cost of whatever player they could get next summer for the money they have prioritized.
With several strong targets expected to be available, it is easy to understand why the Lakers are being as firm as they are. They can get a real boost in 2027.
Max Christie and Luguentz Dort are just some of the MLE targets for 2027
With access to the nontaxpayer midlevel exception, the Lakers can go nab themselves a real long-term starter in the summer of 2027. There are a few names who jump off the page immediately.
If an extension does not get done in Dallas and his player option is declined, a reunion with Max Christie stands out as very desirable. The former Laker has blossomed into the type of 3-and-D player who would be greatly valued around Luka Doncic.
After failing to figure out a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer, the Lakers can also circle back to Luguentz Dort next summer. Dort is in the final year of his deal with no extension in sight.
Names like Derrick Jones Jr., Max Strus, and others have been floated as potential targets as well. There is a solid group of players for the Lakers to choose from, and sacrificing that opportunity for Kuminga should not be in the cards.
Add us as a preferred source on Google