The Los Angeles Lakers have interest in signing unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, but there’s a hold up.
It seems there’s mutual interest from Kuminga and his camp, however, the 23-year-old wants to weigh out all of his options in the event there’s a better deal on the table, according to ESPN.
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The Lakers are offering Kuminga a starting role, playing high minutes alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. ESPN reported that there are many within the Lakers’ brass that feel his skill set is a fit with Dončić and head coach JJ Reddick’s offensive scheme.
However, Kuminga and his agent Aaron Turner are not yet sold on that idea in belief that there are other routes they can take.
Here are potential landing spots for Jonathan Kuminga:
Jonathan Kuminga potential landing spots
Here are potential teams that Kuminga could end up playing for by the start of the 2026-27 regular season:
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Los Angeles Lakers
Kuminga has been in discussion with the Lakers since becoming an unrestricted free agent. His team option worth $24.3 million was declined by the Atlanta Hawks on June 29. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka met with Kuminga in a virtual setting the following day, according to ESPN.
The Lakers added all sorts of assets this summer in Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy and Collin Sexton. Kuminga would seemingly be a replacement for Rui Hachimura, who was not brought back and instead signed with the neighboring Clippers.
Atlanta Hawks
There’s a chance that Kuminga does, in fact, return to the Hawks but on a friendlier deal than the $24.3 million the team would have owed him if they picked up his option. The deal would be something that makes sense for both sides.
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Kuminga was traded to the Hawks on Feb. 5, along with Buddy Hield, in a deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 12.3 points on 47.6% field goal shooting and 34.6% from 3-point. He pulled in 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 22.1 minutes, appearing in 16 games for Atlanta.
However, “a reunion isn’t being actively discussed”, ESPN reported.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers also have interest in Kuminga and his talent. There’s familiarity with Kuminga in Cleveland, as their head coach Kenny Atkinson coached Kuminga in his first three NBA seasons while serving as an assistant under Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors.
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It would make for a nice get-together, however the Cavaliers have their eyes set on landing LeBron James.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings were heavily involved in the Kuminga sweepstakes a year ago. According to ESPN, the team checked back in with Kuminga to gauge his interest. However, it would take some maneuvering financially to make it happen. The likely scenario would be to execute a sign-and-trade. The Kings have been hesitant to discuss those plans, ESPN reports.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Jonathan Kuminga landing spots: Have Lakers climbed to top of list?
