The Los Angeles Lakers have made a number of moves since free agency has kicked off. The front office led by Rob Pelinka swung a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler, addressing their biggest need. The team also added a pair of dynamic offensive guards in Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, as well as talented stretch-big man Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Now looking at the Lakers’ roster, there remains an obvious need for a defensive-minded big wing. And according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, that is the front office’s next order of business as they look to round out this roster with Jonathan Kuminga receiving consideration:
The team, according to league sources who were granted anonymity to freely discuss the Lakers’ offseason moves, is still seeking a young wing to help its perimeter defense. A high-upside swing receiving significant consideration, per league sources, is former Golden State Warrior and Atlanta Hawk Jonathan Kuminga, whose $24.3 million team option was recently declined by Atlanta.
Kuminga is a player the Lakers have been linked to in the past and would give them a young wing with upside.
After all of their moves in free agency though, as it currently stands, the Lakers can only offer players the veteran minimum. However, as has been the case in the past, that can be parlayed into a much bigger contract with a strong performance and the Lakers can offer players a prime role and the visibility that comes with playing for this franchise, which could very well persuade the right player to join.
The team has previously been linked to Ziaire Williams, who enjoyed a breakout season with the Brooklyn Nets. He has the size and athleticism the Lakers need on the perimeter and has also improved as a shooter.
Kuminga is another possibility who fits the bill physically, though he has been more of an offensive-focused player in his career so far. Matisse Thybulle is another option and has always been a top-notch defender since entering the league as well and the Lakers could mask his offensive shortcomings with all the firepower they would have surrounding him.
As it currently stands, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia are the only bigger wings on the roster, though a waive-and-stretch of Vanderbilt could be a possibility for the Lakers as well and would get them around $7 million in cap space. Trades are also still possible, though the team doesn’t have much to offer teams in terms of draft compensation. Regardless, it sounds as if the Lakers aren’t done building their roster just yet.
Deandre Ayton projects as Lakers’ backup center for now
With the addition of Kessler as the new starting center most assumed the Lakers would move off of Deandre Ayton, but the team is currently projecting him as their backup at the position for the time being.
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