The Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga and are exploring a two-year, $20 million contract offer to bring in the athletic wing they believe can fill a major roster need, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
Kuminga has emerged as a priority target for the Lakers as the franchise continues reshaping its roster around Luka Doncic. Los Angeles views the 23-year-old forward as a potential starting small forward, giving the team the size, athleticism and defensive versatility it has been searching for since LeBron James’ departure.
The Lakers finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 53-29 record, earning the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, but their postseason ended with a four-game sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has remained in communication with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner. Multiple members of the organization, including players, have also reached out to Kuminga to emphasize the role he could have in Los Angeles.
The Lakers have reportedly highlighted a starting opportunity as part of their pitch, with Kuminga positioned as a key piece in a younger roster built around Doncic. However, Kuminga and his representatives have not committed to the Lakers because they believe larger financial opportunities could still become available during free agency.
Los Angeles’ financial flexibility has been limited after a busy offseason. The Lakers added center Walker Kessler, forwards Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kevon Looney, and guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, using much of their available resources before pursuing Kuminga.
Because of those moves, the Lakers have only one open roster spot and limited room to increase their offer. If they decide to pursue a larger contract, a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks could become an option.
Slater reported that Los Angeles could use contracts such as Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht or Jaden Hardy in a potential deal. The Lakers would likely need to include draft compensation, potentially one of their remaining second-round picks or a future first-round pick swap, to make a sign-and-trade attractive to Atlanta.
The Hawks remain a significant factor because they can help Kuminga secure a larger contract by facilitating a sign-and-trade while preserving his Bird rights. Atlanta, however, would require sufficient value in return. There is also a possibility Kuminga returns to the Hawks on a team-friendly deal after Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option, although those discussions are not currently active.
Kuminga split the 2025-26 season between the Golden State Warriors and Hawks after being included in the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State. He averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range in 16 games with Atlanta.
Over his five-year NBA career, Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.1 minutes per game. His best season came in 2023-24 with the Warriors, when he averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field.
