Lakers In Active Pursuit Of Jonathan Kuminga; Hawks, Cavs Remain In Mix
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Lakers In Active Pursuit Of Jonathan Kuminga; Hawks, Cavs Remain In Mix The Los Angeles Lakers remain in active pursuit of unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga but have yet to present an offer strong enough to secure his commitment, league sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Kuminga became a free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option on June 29. He met virtually with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick the following day, who outlined a vision of Kuminga playing significant minutes alongside Luka Doncic.
Pelinka and the Lakers subsequently committed most of its available cap space to Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, limiting what remains for a Kuminga offer.
Despite the financial constraints, the Lakers have continued pursuing him. Pelinka has stayed in contact with Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, gradually sweetening the offer while emphasizing Kuminga's potential role and a likely starting spot, sources said.
Kuminga and Turner have not committed, believing stronger opportunities may still emerge as free agency progresses.
A sign-and-trade involving the Hawks remains possible. Atlanta is open to facilitating a deal that preserves Kuminga's Bird Rights, though Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh would need additional incentive to engage.
The Lakers could package contracts belonging to Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht or Jaden Hardy to increase their offer, though doing so would likely require attaching draft assets as well.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also maintain interest, sources said, given Kuminga's familiarity with Kenny Atkinson from their years together with the Golden State Warriors. Cleveland's focus on pursuing LeBron James has left the Lakers as Kuminga's most aggressive suitor for now.
The Sacramento Kings have also checked in on Kuminga's interest but face salary cap restrictions that would require a sign-and-trade to make a deal work.
The Los Angeles Lakers remain in active pursuit of unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga but have yet to present an offer strong enough to secure his commitment, league sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Kuminga became a free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option on June 29. He met virtually with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick the following day, who outlined a vision of Kuminga playing significant minutes alongside Luka Doncic.
Pelinka and the Lakers subsequently committed most of its available cap space to Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, limiting what remains for a Kuminga offer.
Despite the financial constraints, the Lakers have continued pursuing him. Pelinka has stayed in contact with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, gradually sweetening the offer while emphasizing Kuminga’s potential role and a likely starting spot, sources said.
Kuminga and Turner have not committed, believing stronger opportunities may still emerge as free agency progresses.
A sign-and-trade involving the Hawks remains possible. Atlanta is open to facilitating a deal that preserves Kuminga’s Bird Rights, though Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh would need additional incentive to engage.
The Lakers could package contracts belonging to Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht or Jaden Hardy to increase their offer, though doing so would likely require attaching draft assets as well.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also maintain interest, sources said, given Kuminga’s familiarity with Kenny Atkinson from their years together with the Golden State Warriors. Cleveland’s focus on pursuing LeBron James has left the Lakers as Kuminga’s most aggressive suitor for now.
The Sacramento Kings have also checked in on Kuminga’s interest but face salary cap restrictions that would require a sign-and-trade to make a deal work.
