The Los Angeles Lakers have pretty much filled out their roster for the 2026-27 season, but they might still have one more trick up their sleeve.
While the Lakers are said to be targeting a defensive swingman for that spot, former Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga also fits the bill, and the two sides apparently have mutual interest. As it stands now, the Lakers don’t have room for Kuminga, who will surely demand above the minimum, but there’s a pathway to bringing him on if they waive and stretch Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract, which would open up $7 million.
“Jonathon Kuminga to the Lakers is starting to gain some steam, picking up around a potential move,” reported insider Marc Jacobs. “As I’ve said before, there is mutual interest, so the possibility is very much there as the situation continues to develop.”
Kuminga, 23, is a versatile young wing player with career averages of 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 47.6% shooting and 34.6% shooting from three. He began his career with the Warriors in 2021 and played a minor role in their title run.
But after years of up-and-down play from Kuminga, the relationship with coach Steve Kerr deteriorated, resulting in an ugly divorce that sent him off to Atlanta. Now, with just 16 games played for the Hawks, Kuminga is once again set to switch teams after they declined his $24.3 million team option.
For the Lakers, Kuminga would otherwise be unaffordable, but his value is at an all-time low right now, after failed stints with the Warriors and Hawks. If Rob Pelinka can get him at a bargain, it’d be a low-risk, high-reward signing that would improve wing depth and add flexibility to a well-balanced roster. At his age, the Lakers would hope that Luka Doncic and JJ Redick could unlock his game, turning a fringe bench player into a steady rotation player.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, there’s no telling how low Kuminga’s offers will go, and it could price them out of the pursuit altogether if it exceeds their current cap space. As far as other potential suitors, younger teams like the Kings and Bucks make a lot of sense for Kuminga. Those are places where he could play and prove his worth in a pressure-free environment. There’s also the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have been looking for frontcourt depth for a while now. If they don’t land LeBron James this summer, Kuminga could make for a fitting replacement.
For now, Jonathan Kuminga’s future is entirely up for grabs. While he’s got all the talent on paper, he struggles with key concepts like basketball IQ, off-ball decision-making, and spacing — things that most teams prioritize from their players. Signing Kuminga at this stage would surely be a gamble, but it’s one the Lakers may be willing to take with their limited flexibility.
As for what Kuminga wants, he can’t afford to be picky right now after being exiled from two separate NBA teams. As an unrestricted free agent, he has the power and freedom to choose his next destination, and he’ll be looking for any team that’s willing to give him an opportunity to shine.
