Despite already having 16 players under contract, the Los Angeles Lakers remain active in their pursuit of free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. The franchise has been exploring sign-and-trade options for the wing, but are not alone in their pursuit as the Cleveland Cavaliers are also known to be trying to acquire Kuminga as well.
And now another team has entered the competition as well as the Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly expressed interest in Kuminga after missing out on LeBron James, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype:
Amid active sign-and-trade interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, along with the possibility of re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks, another suitor has expressed interest in free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga.
After missing out on their pursuit of LeBron James, the Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed interest in Kuminga with their starting power forward spot up for grabs and their $6.06 million taxpayer mid-level exception available for the taking, league sources told HoopsHype.
While the Lakers have a significantly higher financial offer and longer contract on the table, and Cleveland can also offer a significantly higher salary via a sign-and-trade, Minnesota’s interest is still noteworthy, given the basketball fit.
As was noted, both the Lakers and Cavaliers are offering contracts much closer to what Kuminga is seeking via sign-and-trade, but the Timberwolves’ basketball situation and fit could be more appealing, even on a deal worth much less.
Kuminga’s issues with the Golden State Warriors were well publicized, leading to him ultimately being traded to the Hawks at last year’s trade deadline. The forward felt he was deserving of a bigger role and that is likely still a big factor in where he will decide to sign this summer.
The Lakers, Cavaliers and Timberwolves can all offer him a starting spot, so it could be a matter of where he feels he will shine most. The Lakers have been in hard pursuit of Kuminga for weeks now and believe he is exactly what they need on this remade roster around superstar Luka Doncic. But the competition to land him is growing.
Lakers reportedly still looking for reinforcements at center
Even if the Lakers are able to come to an agreement with Kuminga, the front office still may not be done adding to the roster. Depth at the center position is something the franchise is still looking to improve and they are reportedly still on the lookout for big man depth.
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