The Jonathan Kuminga saga continues to drag on as the forward still has yet to sign a deal in free agency after the Atlanta Hawks declined to pick up his $24.3 million team option. By most accounts it looks as if Kuminga is deciding between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
There are surely a lot of factors Kuminga is mulling while deciding which team he would prefer to join and one of them obviously is the role he would play with either squad. According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, Kuminga reportedly sees the Lakers as the better fit for him in terms of role:
Kuminga reportedly likes the idea of playing for the Lakers — who would start him at the four — as a better fit.
Kuminga sliding into that starting role would be ideal as he gives the team that bigger wing they have been seeking this offseason. Putting him alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler and, likely, Quentin Grimes would give the Lakers a starting lineup that checks most boxes, and would improve their bench depth with Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton commanding the second unit.
The Timberwolves could conceivably give Kuminga a starting role as well, though it wouldn’t be guaranteed as they also gave Ayo Donsunmu a new contract this offseason and the other four starting spots are locks with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
The biggest question regarding Kuminga, whether he joins the Lakers or Timberwolves, will be if he accepts his role on the team. He is extremely talented, but very publicly clashed with head coach Steve Kerr about wanting to have a bigger role on offense while with the Golden State Warriors. Kuminga will not usurp Doncic and Reaves will as the primary creators so he will have to be willing to embrace being a defender and finisher and it is unclear if he will.
Talks have reportedly stalled on a sign-and-trade between the Lakers and Hawks as the two sides have been unable to come to terms on a deal, while the Timberwolves can offer Kuminga more money than the Lakers as an unrestricted free agent signing. But Kuminga will need to make a decision soon so he can begin ingratiating himself with his new team.
Lakers putting in work during minicamp in Slovenia
Those who are on the Lakers roster enjoyed a team bonding trip and minicamp in Slovenia hosted by Doncic and highlights of the workouts that went down were recently released.
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