Lakers, Heat, Cavaliers reportedly in bidding war for $63M NBA champion, elite role player

Lakers, Heat, Cavaliers reportedly in bidding war for $63M NBA champion, elite role player originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers were in full pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga throughout free agency, believing that their ability to offer him more money would ultimately give them the upper hand. Once the Cleveland Cavaliers pivoted, it appeared that the Lakers had the clearest path to landing him, with the Minnesota Timberwolves remaining as their biggest competition.

The Timberwolves were considered to be behind Los Angeles because they could not offer Kuminga as much money. However, Kuminga ultimately chose Minnesota.

“Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.

Now, Los Angeles must move on and try to find another player to fill the hole left at power forward. One name that has recently been mentioned is veteran Bruce Brown. If the Lakers want to land him, they will have to win a free-agency battle against the Miami Heat and Cavaliers.

“The Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers have recently expressed free agent interest in Bruce Brown. Now one of the best available unrestricted free agents, the versatile guard could help complete a title-contending rotation,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

Brown would be a huge addition for any of these teams, as it is never a bad idea to add a reliable veteran. However, it could mean even more for Los Angeles, which has missed out on several free agents recently. The good news for the Lakers is that Brown nearly signed with them a few years ago.

“I was going to the Lakers after the championship. I was going to the Lakers,” Brown said. “Free agency started, and they called me. Darvin Ham is the head coach. And they wanted me to be the starting point guard. I got LeBron, I got AD, I got guys where they went to the Western Conference Finals. I want to win again.”

The Heat have one roster spot available, the Cavaliers have some financial flexibility after waiving Cam Whitmore, and the Lakers are looking to move some contracts. It will be interesting to see how everything comes together.

Brown has made $63 million in his career so far. He is the ultimate role player and someone any team would be lucky to have. For the Heat, Lakers and Cavaliers, it could ultimately come down to which team can make the most appealing pitch.

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