The Los Angeles Lakers have their new backup center, Kevon Looney, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported that he and the team agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal. After the Deandre Ayton trade to the Wizards, it was obvious this kind of signing was coming, and now that it's out of the way, all eyes are on their next move, adding a quality wing.
Well, the thing is that it is a lot easier said than done when you look at the Lakers' finances and the market. As Anthony Slater of ESPN reported after the Looney-to-LA news broke, though, the team is still "actively pursuing" Jonathan Kuminga, but it would have to create space to give him the kind of deal he is seeking. That could be done via a sign-and-trade with Atlanta.
Kuminga isn't exactly the ideal starting wing the Lakers should prefer, but he's only 23, so he's certainly worth taking a swing on, though not at a high price. And he should be intrigued by the thought of playing alongside Luka Dončić, which could benefit him in more ways than one. If he's motivated by the money, the superstar guard knows how to get his teammates paid.
Lakers need to add a wing after signing Kevon Looney
Kuminga isn't the only option out there, as Peyton Watson is still unsigned as a restricted free agent, but he's looking for a nice payday after his career 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old has been on the Lakers' radar for months now, and to make that dream a reality, it'd take a sign-and-trade. Denver will have the final say there, which doesn't benefit LA. Still, that hope remains alive.
If there is a realistic path for Los Angeles to bring Watson in as the new starting wing, it's something that Rob Pelinka should be all over. He should've already been all over it, especially now that it's the remaining hole in the roster.
The Lakers have one remaining spot on the roster, and it could take some extra time to fill it, as Kuminga doesn't seem to be in a rush to decide on his future. And as for Watson, restricted free agency can be painfully slow. If neither of those options are on the table for LA, that's when it will start to get really scary.
Let's see what Pelinka can do (no, that's not meant to come across as a threat).
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