It’s been a transformative offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers thus far. Los Angeles has moved on from LeBron James and fully embraced their future with Luka Don\u010di\u0107 as the face of the franchise.<\/p>\n
The Lakers re-signed Austin Reaves, traded for Walker Kessler, and added role players like Collins Sexton and Kevon Looney. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin<\/a>, Don\u010di\u0107 is pleased with what L.A. has done.<\/p>\n “A source familiar with Luka Doncic’s thinking told ESPN he was ‘excited’ about the new players and ‘looking forward to getting to work with this group,'” McMenamin wrote.<\/p>\n However, the Lakers aren’t quite done building their roster for the 2026-27 season. They have two open roster spots and a source told McMenamin that those last spots “will be critical.”<\/p>\n In recent days, Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as a prime candidate for one of those spots. According to The Los Angeles Times’ Broderick Turner (h\/t Edwin Garcia<\/a> of Silver Screen and Roll), the Lakers have eyed Kuminga and a two-year, $20 million deal. According to Khobi Price<\/a> of the California Post, however, Kuminga is unlikely to accept a $10 million salary and may only join the Lakers on a larger deal via a sign-and-trade.<\/p>\n And, per Price, the Atlanta Hawks are willing to work out a sign-and-trade with Kuminga.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, while Kuminga would address Los Angeles’ need for wing depth, it appears he’s out of the Lakers’ price range\u2014sign-and-trade or no.<\/p>\n NBA insider Jake Fischer<\/a> (h\/t Bleacher Report’s Andrew Peters<\/a>), the Hawks are “seeking more than the Lakers can offer to this point.”<\/p>\n If Atlanta is truly asking for more than the Lakers are comfortable offering, it’s time to pivot to other wing options. Giving up trade assets and then overpaying Kuminga isn’t the sort of move<\/a> that will make L.A. a title contender, and waiting to see if his situation changes could cost the Lakers quality options for those “critical” last roster spots.<\/p>\n