Lakers Continue to Seek Roster Improvements
The Los Angeles Lakers are actively looking to strengthen their roster following a hectic start to free agency.
General manager Rob Pelinka wasted no time in making additions after losing half of the starting lineup, which includes four-time NBA champion LeBron James. The standout move was a four-year, $130 million agreement for center Walker Kessler.
While the Lakers have acted swiftly, there are still questions about how well this new acquisition will perform on the court.
Pelinka’s attempts to address the significant departures have been commendable, yet the Lakers are facing challenges with limited cap space. The team has two major gaps: they lack a versatile wing defender.
One potential solution could be Jonathan Kuminga, who has shown interest in signing with the Lakers this summer, according to team official Giován Buha.
Kuminga reportedly has mutual interest with the Lakers as they work behind the scenes to secure a new wing.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. The 23-year-old forward could inject youthful energy into the Lakers’ lineup and has the potential to evolve into a two-way player.
For a deal to be finalized, the Lakers would need to get creative to open up some cap space for Kuminga. At the moment, they can only sign veterans at the league’s minimum salary.
To bring Kuminga on board, the Lakers might need to either trade or waive Jared Vanderbilt’s contract extension. They managed to create about $2.1 million in cap space by trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and future draft picks.
Additionally, with Rui Hachimura moving to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers lack a clear backup candidate should efforts to sign Kuminga fall short—a concerning scenario for a team also in need of a backup center after dealing Ayton.
Ultimately, securing Kuminga depends on Pelinka’s resourcefulness, and the outcome could significantly impact the Lakers’ trajectory. If they manage to bring him in, they may inch closer to championship aspirations. On the flip side, failing to secure a versatile wing defender could leave the team entering the 2026-27 season with an incomplete roster.
