The Los Angeles Lakers want Jonathan Kuminga to be their starting power forward, and the odds of making it happen just improved after the Cleveland Cavaliers landed Mario Hezonja. The Cavs were the biggest threat to stealing Kuminga. They were waiting on LeBron James. The GOAT’s decision to join the 76ers made Cleveland a serious threat for Kuminga, but the Cavaliers clearly preferred Hezonja, especially at the minimum.
Michael Scotto reported the Lakers, Cavaliers, Bucks, and Clippers have shown interest in Kuminga. Signing Hezonja drops Cleveland off the board. The Clippers signed Rui Hachimura to be their power forward. Milwaukee already has 16 players under contract and plenty of depth at forward. The Lakers are the obvious landing spot for Kuminga as he can get paid and have a starting role on a contender.
There are still holdups. The purple and gold can only land Kuminga via sign-and-trade if they are going to pay him more than the minimum. That would mean the 23-year-old would have to sign a three-year contract. Kuminga wants $20 million per year, and the Lakers aren’t offering it. Keith Smith isn’t the only one who believes Kuminga’s side is holding up the deal.
Lakers odds to land Jonathan Kuminga just got better as Cavaliers sign Mario Hezonja
The Lakers quickly became the best and most logical option. Kuminga would have been a starter for the Cavaliers, but they would’ve had to trade Max Strus or Dennis Schroder to pay him more than the minimum. Both of those players figure to be in their playoff rotation, so it is a lateral move. Instead, they signed Hezonja and improved their depth.
The Lakers have a starting role available and are willing to trade Jarred Vanderbilt and draft capital to offer Kuminga significantly more than the minimum. Yes, he would have to take a three-year contract, but this is his path to getting paid and the role he’s long desired.
The 23-year-old forward is repeating the same issues he had with the Golden State Warriors. Kuminga sees himself as a star and wants to be paid handsomely. In the second apron era, every dollar counts. No team wants to splash $20-plus million per year on a role player.
The Lakers would love the 6’7 forward’s defense, downhill attacking ability, and playmaking chops. He could reach a new level playing off Luka Doncic and may become an above-league-average shooter.
It is the perfect landing spot for both sides, but Kuminga must realize he’s a non-taxpayer mid-level exception player at best right now. He can earn more by balling out for the Lakers over the next three years.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ odds of landing Jonathan Kuminga have never been higher. There is mutual interest on both sides, and LA’s biggest threat just eliminated themselves. The Lakers just have to wait for JK to lower his demands and finalize the sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Los Angeles has a serious shot to finish in the top four in the West if they land Kuminga, and that has never been more likely.
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