The Los Angeles Lakers hope LeBron James signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency, so the purple and gold can land Jonathan Kuminga. The Lakers and Cavs are the two teams rumored to be interested in Kuminga. Jake Fischer mentioned other suitors, but none have been made public. With the Hawks trading for Luguentz Dort, they don’t have room to bring Kuminga back. The Lakers have a clear need, and LeBron could help out his former team by returning home.
The Lakers were wisely targeting Kuminga over Rui Hachimura when the former LA forward was still available. They need defense from their potential starting power forward. Hachimura wasn’t offering that. Kuminga has shown flashes, and thriving in Los Angeles will be based on buying into his role.
King James informed the Lakers that he wasn’t returning before free agency opened. He is still deciding on his next team. Los Angeles fans want LeBron to be happy, but they should clearly be rooting for him to return to Cleveland for his final act.
Lakers odds of landing Jonathan Kuminga improve if LeBron James signs with Cavaliers
The forward market is hung up on LeBron. Kuminga wants to see where King James lands and if the offers for his services improve when the GOAT is off the board. The 23-year-old made $23.8 million last season and had a $24.3 million team option that the Hawks declined. He is looking for a massive payday, but the price is dropping every day.
If the Cavaliers land LeBron, Kuminga may be forced to take a one-year prove-it contract. The Lakers can only offer the minimum unless they make a trade to free up cap space. Atlanta reportedly has no interest in taking on Jarred Vanderbilt in a sign-and-trade for JK. Los Angeles could dump Vando, Dalton Knecht, or Jaden Hardy to open room. Still, it may not be enough to land Kuminga on a long-term deal.
The Lakers want to make the 23-year-old a long-term piece around Luka, but they are out of cap space after acquiring Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton. They already gave Ziaire Williams and Kevon Looney minimum contracts. Only a trade can get Kuminga more, and the Lakers aren’t making one unless he signs a multi-year contract.
The Lakers can’t start Mamu at the four every night, but Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt are the other options. None of those players should be a starter on a title contender. Los Angeles could grow Kuminga into one, but it would take him buying into his role.
The purple and gold cannot afford to be picky. Most of the offseason moves are done, and the Lakers still have a massive hole at the four. They need Kuminga. He is the best available option, and the odds improve if LeBron returns home in free agency.
The Los Angeles Lakers want Jonathan Kuminga, and LeBron James signing with the Cavaliers would leave the 23-year-old without another confirmed suitor. Atlanta isn’t bringing Kuminga back and doesn’t want to do a sign-and-trade.
This could force JK to take a cheap deal. He has to prove himself, and the Lakers have a massive stage. All Los Angeles needs is for the pieces to fall into place.
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