NBA Insider Gives Major Update on Lakers’ Chances of Landing Jonathan Kuminga: Report

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The Los Angeles Lakers remain in the chase to acquire Jonathan Kuminga in the 2026 NBA free agency.

Despite adding to their wing depth by signing Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, NBA insider Anthony Slater reported on Tuesday that Los Angeles remains the “hungriest suitor” for the former Golden State Warriors prospect.

“I think the Lakers are still in there, still as like, the hungriest suitor, but also knowing that there’s not necessarily a reason to like throttle forward and, you know, blow out the rest of your assets and try to get him every last dollar he wants,” Slater said on Allen SLIWa’s “Hoops Talk” show on Tuesday.”

Slater added:

“I probably still think the Lakers are at the forefront of that conversation. Now, I do wonder the length of the deal and like, what’s the ideal structure because you could argue, sure maybe even take less early on a deal if you’re [Kuminga] and you believe in yourself the way Jonathan Kuminga and the people around him believe in what he still can be long-term.”

The Lakers don’t have the space to match Jonathan Kuminga’s reported $20 million annual salary demand, so talks have stalled. The Lakers exhausted their salary flexibility with the quickfire signings of Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. They also re-signed Austin Reaves to an extension that will see him earn $41.2 million next season.

As of now, Los Angeles only has the veteran minimum deal to offer. Another option is to make Kuminga a respectable offer that won’t match what he would demand for a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks, but would still be convincing.

However, that would require a third team, as the Hawks also have limited space and can’t take back a sizeable, salaried player earning north of $10 million. The Lakers still hold leverage as Kuminga hasn’t generated much interest in the market, and Los Angeles has stopgap additions to fill the void at the wing spots.

The decision will likely come down to Kuminga’s willingness to compromise on his demands. While the Lakers still have a positional need, they may be willing to move on if Kuminga rejects their offer.

Kuminga can also take a short-term deal, as Slater mentioned, and bet on himself to flourish in a place like Los Angeles to draw a better market next offseason.

Lakers acquire Jonathan Kuminga in NBA insider’s four-team mock trade​

Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus proposed a four-team trade that would send Jonathan Kuminga to the Los Angeles Lakers. In his latest feature released on Monday, Pincus listed the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets as facilitators for the trade.

Here’s the mock trade proposal:

Lakers receive:

• Jonathan Kuminga (from Hawks)

Hawks receive:

• 2027 New York Knicks second-rounder (from Nets)
• 2032 first-round pick swap, 2032 second-rounder (from Lakers)
• $18 million trade exception (Jonathan Kuminga)

Bulls receive:

• Dalton Knecht (from Lakers)
• $2 million (from Lakers)

Nets receive:

• Jaden Hardy (from Lakers)
• Mouhamed Gueye (from Hawks)
• 2027 second-rounder (31-55 from Hawks)
• 2031 lowest second-rounder (from Bulls)
• 2033 Washington Wizards second-rounder (from Lakers)
• $4 million (from Lakers)

The Hawks get draft compensation and no salary in exchange. They also open up a trade exception that they can later use by the deadline. Los Angeles ends up parting ways with Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht, who are unlikely to crack the rotation. The Lakers also use cash instead of picks to compensate other teams involved, which they will likely do with only one second-round pick available to trade.

Kuminga would sign a $77.4 million four-year deal in this scenario, which comes closer to his annual salary demands. Pincus suggested the Lakers include a 15% trade bonus and other add-ons to sweeten the deal for the free agent.

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