The Los Angeles Lakers sit at 14 rostered players as of the morning of Wednesday, July 8. They’ve welcomed five new players — Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes officially, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and Kevon Looney still unofficially — and have turned the page to the Luka Doncic era.
However, the 14-player roster the Lakers have still feels incomplete. The team is missing a starting forward — arguably two — and could theoretically use another backup big man to start any games that Kessler might miss. That alone is more than the one available roster spot the Lakers have, which means L.A. is still projecting to make significant additions and changes, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
A Lakers source told ESPN that the last spots “will be critical” for next season’s team.
The Lakers have not operated like a team that’s done with all of their offseason business. It’s part of why it took them nearly two days to make their first official move — trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks — and still remain with three players unsigned and one trade incomplete.
They have multiple contracts they’d maybe have the opportunity to move away from, including Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht. Rumors all state that the Lakers may trade Bronny James to whichever team LeBron James ultimately signs with. They also have three second-round picks and a first-round pick swap available to deal.
All of these things show a team that is ready to make at least one more minor splash before calling it an offseason and rolling into 2026-27 with their new team.
Lakers players and staff members recruiting Jonathan Kuminga
Many indications point towards former Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga being among the likeliest hopeful additions to this Lakers team. Rumors are that both players and staff members are recruiting him, likely under the idea that he would be the team’s starting power forward.
The Lakers can sign Kuminga to a minimum now, which likely would have already happened if he was willing to play on a minimum. But they can also work on a sign-and-trade with the Hawks or clear cap space by sending salaries to a third team in order to get the room needed to sign the former lottery pick. Reports state the Lakers have offered him a two-year deal worth around $20 million.
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