Lakers Eye Jonathan Kuminga in Free‑Agency Rush

Why Kuminga Is Available

The former Golden State Warriors wing has spent the past few seasons bouncing between two franchises without ever locking in a permanent role. After a contentious stint in Sacramento’s G‑League Ignite, Kuminga signed a two‑year, $50 million deal with Golden State, but he never became a consistent starter. His time with the Atlanta Hawks looked promising, yet he failed to break out, prompting Atlanta to decline its $27 million team option for this season. The Hawks’ decision opens the market for Kuminga, but he now faces a dryer free‑agent landscape where cap‑constrained teams are hunting for affordable impact.

Lakers’ Sign‑and‑Trade Blueprint

According to Khobi Price of The California Post, a sign‑and‑trade is the primary vehicle the Lakers are using to bring Kuminga aboard. The Hawks are reportedly willing to accept Jarred Vanderbilt and a swap of the Lakers’ 2032 first‑round pick, the only first‑round selection Los Angeles can move this summer, plus three second‑round picks. Kuminga’s new contract would need to be at least three or four years long, with the initial season fully guaranteed, and his salary would sit above the $10 million mark, fitting a structure the Lakers can absorb.

What It Means for the Lakers

Los Angeles currently lacks a reliable two‑way forward, making Kuminga’s potential addition a significant swing for a roster that needs depth and scoring off the bench. If the deal goes through, Kuminga is slated to start outright, a clear signal of the Lakers’ urgency to fill the front‑court gap. While the contract will strain the salary cap, it provides a chance for a former lottery pick to reboot his career amid limited free‑agent options, potentially delivering both immediate impact and long‑term upside for the franchise.