Lakers Making Moves as LeBron’s Future Remains Uncertain

While much of the NBA holds its breath awaiting LeBron James’ decision on free agency, the Lakers are actively reshaping their lineup.

Just after James announced he wouldn’t be coming back for an unprecedented 24th season, the Lakers struck a sign-and-trade deal with the Jazz, acquiring Walker Kessler for four years at $130 million. They also finalized contracts with Tim Grimes (four years, $60 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million), and Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million). They added Jaden Hardy while sending Deandre Ayton off to the Wizards.

Additionally, the team has secured several veterans on minimum contracts recently, including Kevon Looney (one year, $3.9 million), Ziare Williams (one year, $2.8 million), and Matisse Thybulle (one year, $3.3 million).

But the Lakers aren’t finished with their roster adjustments.

According to league rules, they must trim their roster from 16 to 15 players before the regular season starts in late October. Yet, they’re still keen on bolstering their lineup around key players like Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves, and Kessler.

They’re looking to perhaps add another big man or even some taller wings.

Central to their roster improvement efforts is unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. There appears to be mutual interest between him and the Lakers. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, along with coach JJ Reddick, met with Kuminga shortly after free agency began in late June.

However, reports indicate that the Lakers and Kuminga’s representatives haven’t been able to settle on a satisfactory salary, stalling any potential agreement. Kuminga, who was drafted seventh overall in 2021, has played for the Hawks and Warriors.

James’ decision regarding his future has left Kuminga in limbo. While the Lakers have expressed desire to add him, progress has been minimal, as noted by a source. The Cavaliers are eyeing Kuminga as well, especially since coach Kenny Atkinson has previous familiarity with him from his time with the Warriors.

If James opts against a third stint with the Cavaliers, it’s possible Kuminga could land there, complicating the Lakers’ plans.

This uncertainty means Los Angeles may need to explore backup options. Names like Ochai Agbaji and Trendon Watford surface as potential small forward or power forward candidates in the free agent market. Yet, while they may be solid players, they don’t necessarily fit the profile of a starter alongside Doncic, Reeves, and Kessler.

This reality suggests that if the Lakers want a starting-caliber forward, they might need to look at trades.

Trade rumors involving Mavericks forward P.J. Washington have been circulating, but his hefty contract—fully guaranteed at $88.8 million for four years—might be too much for the Lakers.

Additionally, some sources have shared that the Nuggets rejected trades for Cam Johnson, a forward with sharpshooting capabilities.

As for options to trade for a starter without compromising their mid-level exception next summer, both DeAndre Hunter from the Kings and Kyle Kuzma, who won a championship with the Lakers in 2020, jump out as solid options.

Both are in the final season of four-year, $90 million contracts, meaning to trade either, the Lakers would likely need to offer a second-round pick along with players like Jared Vanderbilt, Hardy, or Dalton Knecht.

Previously, the Lakers had shown interest in acquiring Hunter before he moved to the Kings in a three-team deal earlier this year.

For now, the Lakers are primarily focusing on bringing in Kuminga, so there’s not much buzz about Hunter or Kuzma at this moment. However, should Kuminga fall through, either Hunter or Kuzma would provide excellent alternatives this summer.