Lakers reportedly winning battle to sign $46M ex-Warriors NBA champion over Timberwolves originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA free agency cycle is winding down, with the regular season now less than two months away. It has been an interesting offseason, with LeBron James holding the NBA in suspense at one point and lengthy sign-and-trade discussions surrounding players such as Peyton Watson.
One name still going through the sign-and-trade process is Jonathan Kuminga. At this point, it appears the Los Angeles Lakers are in hot pursuit of getting a deal done.
“Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade discussions between the Hawks and Lakers are picking up steam. With Atlanta still not interested in taking on Jarred Vanderbilt, LA is looking for facilitators to acquire Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht. The Lakers would send Atlanta draft capital,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
For Los Angeles, acquiring Kuminga would be a major move after pursuing him throughout the offseason. At this point, it appears increasingly likely that he could end up with the Lakers.
“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 Lakers are now only battling the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 23-year-old NBA champion. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer recently discussed Kuminga’s situation, noting that Los Angeles currently has an advantage over Minnesota because Kuminga appears more interested in playing for the Lakers.
“Comes down to Minnesota or Los Angeles,” Fischer said. “Kuminga, I think, has seemed to prefer going to the Lakers. They have the most opportunity to negotiate there,” Fischer said.
This would be a huge win for the Lakers, especially after pursuing Kuminga for nearly two months. Los Angeles believes he can thrive in its offense alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves while potentially becoming the starting power forward the team has been searching for all offseason.
Kuminga was on a $46 million contract last season. The former NBA champion has an opportunity to take a major step in his career with the Lakers and potentially emerge as a star. That possibility alone should have Lakers fans excited about what he could bring to the team.
More NBA news:
- Rockets predicted to trade Alperen Sengun for $364M ex-Lakers champion to pair with Kevin Durant
- Warriors' Steph Curry has $100M decision to make that will impact Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green
- Lakers predicted to trade Bronny James to Clippers for $60M former first-rounder in 3-team deal
- Lakers attempting to part ways with $18M former first-round letdown in Jonathan Kuminga trade
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