It feels like the Jonathan Kuminga saga has been ongoing since the beginning of free agency back in July. The Los Angeles Lakers have long been linked to him, but the talented forward still has yet to make a decision as he continues to figure out the best landing spot and contract situation.
By most accounts now, Kuminga is deciding between the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, both of whom can offer him an immediate starting spot on a team looking to compete in the Western Conference. And it looks as if Kuminga will finally be making his decision soon.
“It comes down to Minnesota or Los Angeles,” NBA insider Jake Fischer said on a recent Bleacher Report livestream. “Kuminga, I think, has seemed to prefer going to the Lakers. They have the most opportunity to negotiate there. Minnesota is just limited to signing Kuminga to the taxpayer mid-level. He would walk into a starting job in both situations where Minnesota is thin at the forward spot.
“The Lakers have been selling him on this vision of having him start next to Luka [Doncic]. They’re gonna have the spending power in theory to reward him next year if all goes to plan. That’s going to come to some type of conclusion here soon. I thought it could have happened last week, but I still have been told nothing to suggest that Kuminga’s situation is not coming down to the Lakers or the Timberwolves.”
Kuminga was reportedly looking for a contract close to the $24.3 million option that was declined by the Atlanta Hawks this offseason, but that never came to fruition. If the Lakers could sell him on getting a bigger deal next summer should he have a strong season, that could be what pushes him towards L.A.
There is no doubting that Kuminga fits what the Lakers need as an athletic forward who can defend bigger wings and create his own shot when needed. The big question is whether he is ready to accept that role as his desire to be a bigger part of the offense was at the center of his public clash with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Should Kuminga embrace playing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, he has all the tools to thrive in that role and help the Lakers compete amongst the best teams in the West.
Matt Barnes wants to see Lakers on court before judging new roster
If Kuminga joins the Lakers, he would be another new face on the roster full of new additions this offseason. And former Laker Matt Barnes wants to see this new roster on the court before judging how good this team can be.
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