Insider: Jonathan Kuminga is Lakers' top choice at wing spot

[ASFN Admin]

Position-wise, the Los Angeles Lakers have two main holes on their roster: the starting wing or forward spot, and a true center who can back up Walker Kessler. As far as that starting wing or forward spot, there aren't many options on the free agent market.

The Lakers reportedly have two options for that spot. They can either bring back forward Rui Hachimura, who is a free agent and remains unsigned, or take a flyer on Jonathan Kuminga, a 23-year-old who has tantalizing athleticism and potential but hasn't put it together in five pro seasons.

According to insider Jake Fischer, Kuminga is L.A.'s top choice at that position right now; in fact, he reported on Bleacher Report that Hachimura is "not a priority to the Lakers."

“There’s definitely Lakers interest in Kuminga too,” Fischer reported. “... The Lakers, to my understanding, were very in on Kuminga yesterday, they’ve maintained contact there. There’s definitely a pitch that’s been made about the opportunity he could have to help Luka Doncic contend in the Western Conference… Rui Hachimura, to my understanding, is not a priority for the Lakers… We keep hearing Kuminga stuff. I believe Trey Lyles was another name on the Lakers list before he went to Minnesota earlier today…

“I don’t think Rui is going back there at all. I do think Los Angeles, and have been told that Los Angeles has interest in Jonathan Kuminga. They were a team that had interest in Kuminga by way of sign-and-trade last summer as well as Kuminga’s restricted free agency was kind of being dragged out all summer long with the Warriors until he signed his one-plus-one contract that ended up having him get traded to Atlanta. So Jonathan Kuminga, to my understanding, is the Lakers’ top choice right now at the wing spot of all the guys left on the board.”

It is easy to fall in love with Kuminga's potential. The 6-foot-7 forward was the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and he is very athletic, a nice fast-break finisher and a capable defender.

However, his dedication, focus, desire and work ethic have been questioned for a while. His actual defense is inconsistent, and it is thought that Kuminga wants to be an offensive star and won't accept playing a more well-rounded two-way role.

This past season, Kuminga was benched by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in February. He averaged 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 23.1 minutes a game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range this past season. Fischer reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks also have interest in Kuminga and that a return to Atlanta cannot be ruled out.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider: Jonathan Kuminga is Lakers' top choice at wing spot

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