Just over one week into NBA free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have filled many of their roster holes. But one — a legitimate starting two-way forward — remains.
The pickings are slim when it comes to filling that hole, but Jonathan Kuminga, a 23-year-old forward, remains the one available free agent who has a chance of filling that need at a high level. While Kuminga hasn’t tapped into a good amount of his potential and has questionable intangibles, his natural ability on both ends of the floor aligns with what the Lakers want and need at the wing or forward spot.
They reportedly met with him last week, but nothing happened. Yet there is reportedly mutual interest between the two parties, according to Khobi Price of the California Post.
The Lakers may lack the salary-cap flexibility to sign Kuminga to a satisfactory contract straight-up. But the Atlanta Hawks, the team he finished this past season with, are willing to execute a sign-and-trade, and better yet, they’re willing to take Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who is seen as a negative contract across the league because of his extreme limitations on offense.
Per Price, the Hawks want the Lakers to include their lone available first-round pick swap to make such a deal happen.
“The main option that could help the Lakers acquire Kuminga: A sign and trade with the Hawks, which would allow Kuminga to receive a higher salary than the Lakers are able to offer Kuminga as an unrestricted free agent.
“A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap – the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer. Los Angeles also has three second-round picks (Wizards two picks and its own 2033 pick) available to trade.
“Kuminga’s contract would have to be for at least three or four seasons (not including option seasons), and the first season must be fully guaranteed, if the Lakers acquired him in a sign and trade.”
“The main option that could help the Lakers acquire Kuminga: A sign and trade with the Hawks, which would allow Kuminga to receive a higher salary than the Lakers are able to offer Kuminga as an unrestricted free agent.
“A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap – the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer. Los Angeles also has three second-round picks (Wizards two picks and its own 2033 pick) available to trade.
“Kuminga’s contract would have to be for at least three or four seasons (not including option seasons), and the first season must be fully guaranteed, if the Lakers acquired him in a sign and trade.”
Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times recently reported that the Lakers are eyeing a two-year, $20 million contract for Kuminga. There are a few other teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are also interested in snagging Kuminga.
He is a very athletic 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward who can finish strong at the rim, especially in transition, and his wingspan of nearly seven feet gives him the ability to be an excellent defender. However, he has been a below-average 3-point shooter for most of his five years in the NBA, and his focus, dedication, motor and attitude have been question marks.
He has career averages of 12.5 points on 50.2% field-goal shooting and 4.2 rebounds in 22.1 minutes a game. As the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, he won an NBA championship as a rookie with the Golden State Warriors.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
