The Los Angeles Lakers' interest in Jonathan Kuminga probably isn't going to disappear until he signs with a team. Whether that team ends up being the Lakers or someone else remains to be seen. But by all reports, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is still pursuing Kuminga.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Monday night that the Lakers still want Kuminga:
"Sources say that the Lakers would still like to sign Kuminga and make him their starting small forward … provided that the 23-year-old is ultimately willing to accept a contract structure on the Lakers' terms," Fischer wrote.
The Lakers still want to sign Jonathan Kuminga, but nothing's guaranteed
The Lakers and Kuminga aren't seeing eye to eye on a deal -- that much can be deduced from the fact that he remains unsigned. Fischer wondered aloud in his report on Monday night whether or not LA and Kuminga will actually be able to "find a middle ground" this offseason.
There's competition for Kuminga, especially now that LeBron James is off the board. The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly interested, and even a squad like the Los Angeles Clippers could swoop in and snag Kuminga from right under the Lakers' nose.
The longer Kuminga's free agency carries on, the more likely it is that some other dark horse suitor could come in and sign him. The Lakers know that they need to get this deal finished sooner rather than later, and indeed, Anthony Slater recently reported that Pelinka keeps calling about Kuminga.
The problem is, the Lakers are offering Kuminga the wrong "prize"
The Lakers have been openly adamant that they would like to make Kuminga their starting forward, almost as if it that's some sort of deal-breaker for Kuminga. It's totally not. Kuminga is well aware that he's a starting-level player in the NBA -- especially for a team in dire need of a big, athletic wing -- and in all likelihood, Kuminga even thinks of himself in higher terms than even that.
What Kuminga really wants is a richer contract than the Lakers are in position to offer. Whether or not Kuminga deserves such a contract is up for debate, but what's important -- at least right now -- is that Kuminga and his camp believe that he deserves it. Thus, they're going to keep operating as if someone will pay him the money he's looking for.
If the Lakers think that promising Kuminga a starting role is going to move him in any, way, shape or form to sign with them, they are very mistaken.
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