Following Mario Hezonja’s move to Cleveland, the Lakers have a clearer path to acquiring Jonathan Kuminga, per report. While Kuminga favors a reunion with Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, the Lakers are actively pursuing him as a starter. Significant hurdles remain regarding trade terms with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Los Angeles Lakers' pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga has taken a new turn following Mario Hezonja’s signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jonathan Kuminga
Position SF, PF
Age 23
Height 201 cm
Weight 102 kg
Birth place Goma, Congo (Republic of the)
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Lakers now stand as the sole remaining suitor for the young forward.
While the Cavaliers theoretically remain in the hunt, Hezonja’s arrival fills a key wing spot and consumes some cap space.
Siegel anticipates a sign-and-trade between the Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks involving Jarred Vanderbilt to secure Kuminga.
The Lakers now have a clearer path to the 23-year-old. However, Joe Vardon of The Athletic previously reported mutual interest between Cleveland and Kuminga, suggesting a deal with Los Angeles is far from certain.
Mutual interest between Kuminga and Cavaliers
Kuminga is reportedly interested in playing for Cleveland and reuniting with Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, who previously worked with him as an assistant on Steve Kerr's Golden State Warriors staff.
"Jonathan likes the Cavs, likes Kenny Atkinson, and Donovan Mitchell likes him," Kuminga's agent Aaron Turner told Vardon.
Kuminga also spent part of the 2025 offseason training in Cleveland, while Turner is from Northeast Ohio, providing further connections between the player and the organization.
The Cavaliers would likely need to acquire Kuminga through a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks because of their salary-cap situation.
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga
Credit AP - Scanpix
Lakers have actively pursued Kuminga
The Lakers have also been actively pursuing Kuminga as they search for a starting-caliber forward following James' departure.
Los Angeles has remained in contact with Kuminga's representatives and reportedly views the 23-year-old as a potential starter alongside Luka Doncic. However, the Lakers and Hawks have struggled to find acceptable sign-and-trade terms.
League sources told The Athletic that the package Los Angeles is prepared to offer Atlanta is considered underwhelming. Cleveland, meanwhile, possesses trade pieces that could be more appealing to the Hawks.
Veterans Max Strus and Dennis Schroder have been mentioned as potential pieces Cleveland could use in a sign-and-trade construction.
Kuminga is seeking a contract worth approximately $20 million to $23 million annually, close to the value of the option Atlanta declined.
Neither Cleveland nor Los Angeles can offer him that salary outright, making the Hawks' cooperation necessary.
[
Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.](https://basketnews.com/plus?utm_source=basketnews_com&utm_medium=bn_plus&utm_id=UA-259273-31&utm_campaign=banners_free_content_for_not_members_bottom_7)
If you like our content, please and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.