The Los Angeles Lakers' pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga concluded this week with the player agreeing to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This development leaves the Lakers without a key target they sought to fill a need for an athletic, two-way wing.
Kuminga's decision means the Lakers also missed out on a player who could have potentially started alongside guard Luka Doncic, free agent acquisition Walker Kessler, and presumed starter Quentin Grimes. Grimes signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Lakers earlier in free agency.
Kuminga's Decision
The Lakers reportedly engaged with Kuminga for two months, with team president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick meeting with him after free agency began in late June. The Atlanta Hawks had declined Kuminga's $24.3 million team option for the 2026-27 season on June 29, making him a free agent. The Lakers viewed Kuminga as a potential starting wing who would complement their roster reconstruction around Doncic.
Initial offers from the Lakers were not deemed sufficient by Kuminga's representatives. By mid-July, the Lakers increased their offer to two years and $20 million. However, a sign-and-trade deal involving the Hawks was seen as the only viable path for the Lakers to offer Kuminga a higher salary due to salary cap constraints after their other signings. Discussions for a sign-and-trade eventually stalled.
Despite the Lakers' increased offer, which would have been for over $12 million annually across three years without options, Kuminga opted for the Timberwolves' offer. This included using their $6.1 million mid-level exception and provided him with greater flexibility. Kuminga can decline his player option for the 2027-28 season to pursue a more lucrative contract in the 2027 offseason if he performs well, or guarantee himself $6.4 million if he exercises the option. The Timberwolves also actively recruited Kuminga. It remains unclear if a mutually agreeable sign-and-trade could have been finalized between the Lakers, Hawks, and Kuminga.
Lakers' Next Steps
With Kuminga off the board, the Lakers' starting lineup appears to be set, with the fifth starter likely already on the roster. Most available free agent wings and forwards who could fit a starting role on a playoff-contending team have already signed with other clubs. The Lakers also possess limited draft capital to pursue trades for such players.
Any potential additions to the Lakers' roster before training camp in about a month are likely to focus on adding depth at the big man position behind Kessler and newly signed veteran Kevon Looney. The team will also need to trim its roster by at least one player to comply with league rules before the regular season begins. For now, the Lakers' major offseason moves appear to be largely complete.