Lakers Push Jonathan Kuminga With Starting Role Pitch After Hawks Declined $24.3 Million Option
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Jul 7
Lakers Push Jonathan Kuminga With Starting Role Pitch After Hawks Declined $24.3 Million Option
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jul 7
Summary
ESPN said the Lakers have been the most active team in talks with Jonathan Kuminga, selling him on a likely starting wing role next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Los Angeles needs upside on the wing after LeBron James and Rui Hachimura departed, and its free-agent options have narrowed even after adding Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.
Kuminga has not accepted because the Lakers' offer still falls short, and he appears willing to wait for a better financial package or a stronger opportunity elsewhere.
Atlanta still looms because it kept Kuminga's Bird Rights after declining his $24.3 million option, while a sign-and-trade or interest from teams that miss on James could widen his market.