The Lakers reportedly remain far apart from Jonathan Kuminga, who is seeking close to $20 million annually after rejecting potential two-year, $20 million offer.
The Los Angeles Lakers' pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga has reportedly reached a standstill, with the two sides remaining far apart on the financial terms of a potential deal.
Jonathan Kuminga
Position SF, PF
Age 23
Height 201 cm
Weight 102 kg
Birth place Goma, Congo (Republic of the)
According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Los Angeles was prepared to sign Kuminga to a two-year contract worth $20 million, but the former Golden State Warriors forward rejected the proposal.
"My understanding was that the Lakers could have cleared about $10 million in cap space to sign him to a two-year, $20 million deal, which would have been $10 million per season. He was not interested in that," Buha said on The Herd.
"I’ve heard that he's been looking for closer to $20 million AAV. It doesn't have to be exactly $20 million, but closer to that, north of $15 million."
"So I think there's a gap right there between the two sides in terms of what a contract would look like over three years. If they could find some sort of middle ground, maybe's three years, $45 million. That's $15 million a year."
"It's not quite what he wants. It's more than the Lakers want to pay him. Maybe that's a middle ground. But I think the Lakers are in a prime position to add him if they are willing to give up the draft capital to meet whatever Atlanta is asking for. I think that part is realistic."
"The question really is: Is Kuminga willing to take a discount, in his eyes, and buy into the role that the Lakers want from him?" he added.
Lakers’ Kuminga pursuit loses momentum
Credit Scanpix
The Lakers have been linked with Kuminga throughout free agency as they continue searching for a starting-caliber forward to place alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
General manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick previously held a virtual meeting with Kuminga and outlined a potentially significant role for him in Los Angeles.
However, recent reports indicate that momentum toward an agreement has stalled because of the difference in contract expectations. Los Angeles is also reportedly unwilling to attach significant draft capital to complete a possible sign-and-trade.
A sign-and-trade would now represent the Lakers' clearest route to Kuminga following their recent roster additions.
After signing Matisse Thybulle, Los Angeles has 16 players on standard contracts and would need to consolidate the roster before completing another addition. That would likely require the Lakers to send multiple players elsewhere as part of any Kuminga transaction.
Kuminga remains one of top forwards available
Kuminga entered unrestricted free agency after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option.
The 23-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while splitting the 2025-26 season between the Warriors and Hawks.
Despite the complications, Kuminga remains one of the highest-upside players available on the market and could re-emerge as a realistic Lakers target if his asking price decreases.
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