Ex-Warriors champion Jonathan Kuminga's agent takes apparent shot at Lakers after Timberwolves deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers were trying to make one last free-agency splash after an offseason in which the roster has completely changed, to say the least. The Lakers are entering the Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves era at full force.
The team still needs a power forward after failing to find a proven option to take over the starting role. LA was widely expected to land free-agent NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga.
“Jonathan Kuminga landing with the Los Angeles Lakers seems inevitable at this point. On Tuesday, it appeared Kuminga had three suitors remaining in his free-agent sweepstakes: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers," New York Post's Valentina Martinez wrote.
The bad news for the Lakers is that it did not go that way, and a two-month-long pursuit ultimately went to waste. LA lost out on Kuminga to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a surprising outcome.
“Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
Kuminga’s agent recently spoke with The Athletic about his client’s decision. In an indirect manner, Aaron Turner appeared to take a shot at the Lakers organization.
“This is your chance to go to a place you can feel believed in,” Turner said he told Kuminga. “They’re going to encourage you. They’re going to push you, but they’re not going to run away from you.”
Whether Turner feels the Lakers’ fan base or organization is too quick to give up on players, his comments have some context behind them. Former first-round pick Dalton Knecht, for example, was having a strong rookie season before he was traded. The trade was ultimately rescinded, and Knecht went through a slump before struggling to receive a consistent opportunity again.
LA could have potentially put Kuminga at the end of the bench, much like the Golden State Warriors did. It certainly seems like the Timberwolves are prepared to ride the highs and lows with the 23-year-old, giving him an opportunity to develop while trusting him with a significant role.
More NBA news:
- Heat linked to $848M future Hall of Fame duo to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo
- Lakers predicted to trade Jaden Hardy for $88M elite rim runner to pair with Luka Doncic
- Lakers' Austin Reaves gets major warning without LeBron James as production could decline
- Timberwolves officially acquire $24M former first-rounder to make room for Jonathan Kuminga
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