The Los Angeles Lakers are focused on building the best roster possible around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are now the faces of the franchise. However, the team also faces the challenge of replacing LeBron James with a younger player who can help lead the next era in Los Angeles.
The Lakers have been heavily linked to NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga. While Kuminga would not provide the same level of production as James, Los Angeles views him as a potential long-term piece.
“There is mutual free agent interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers, per Jovan Buha. Los Angeles continues to work behind the scenes to secure Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Things have slowed down recently, as Kuminga and the Lakers appear to be in different places regarding a potential contract. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently suggested that Los Angeles may have missed its opportunity to acquire Kuminga through a sign-and-trade.
“The Lakers could have done a sign-and-trade for Kuminga two weeks ago, when the Lakers traded Deandre Ayton to the Wizards, there was a window where the Hawks could have gotten in on the trade… what they (Lakers) could have payed him, would have been less than the mid level,” Windhorst said.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are also a team to monitor in the Kuminga sweepstakes. Cleveland and Los Angeles are viewed as the top destinations for the NBA champion if he changes teams this offseason.
“The Cavaliers and Lakers are currently the top free agent suitors for Jonathan Kuminga, per Shams Charania on Pat McAfee Show,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote. “Kuminga is another player who is waiting on LeBron James to make a decision, because he could become Cleveland’s fallback option.”
No matter how the situation plays out, Kuminga could be viewed as a replacement for James in some capacity. If he joins the Cavaliers, it would likely be because Cleveland was unable to land a deal with the four-time NBA champion. If he joins the Lakers, he would likely step into the starting role James leaves behind.
Kuminga was previously on a $46 million deal. It remains unknown which team Kuminga is currently leaning toward. However, considering nothing has been finalized with Los Angeles, it could indicate that Cleveland remains a strong possibility if the Cavaliers miss out on James.
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Lakers reportedly missed sign-and-trade window for ex-Warriors NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga