Overview
- Reporting on July 4 shows the Lakers have actively pitched Jonathan Kuminga and now view him as their top remaining wing target to pair with Luka Dončić.
- Sources say the team has deprioritized re-signing Rui Hachimura even though he played a key role for Los Angeles last season.
- Kuminga's market is constrained after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million option and only a handful of teams have the clear cap room to offer him a large deal.
- Recent moves, including trading Deandre Ayton and acquiring Jaden Hardy, Walker Kessler and extra second-round picks, gave the Lakers tradable salary and draft assets they could combine to create space for Kuminga.
- Los Angeles still needs a starting wing and a backup center, with names like Nick Richards, Kevon Looney and Jonas Valanciunas linked and the next week of transactions likely to determine whether the Lakers can turn interest into a deal.