After failing in their pursuit, Los Angeles is now understood to be looking to move another player in the opposite direction in the form of Jaden Hardy. Drafted in 2022 as the No. 37 pick by the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers’ “dream scenario” was sending Hardy to another team in the Kuminga deal, per Heavy’s Sean Deveney.

However, because that plan fell through, the franchise now simply wants to move on from him. How that unfolds remains to be seen, as Hardy originally arrived as part of the deal involving DeAndre Ayton in July.

Kuminga joins direct Western Conference rival

While the Lakers missed out on Kuminga, the after-effects are evidently still being felt. The former Golden State Warriors forward agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Timberwolves despite the Lakers being viewed as the favorites for a considerable amount of time.

What hurts most is that he joins a direct Western Conference competitor—a squad that has built itself up surprisingly fast for many after acquiring LaMelo Ball, followed by the addition of Kuminga to support leader Anthony Edwards.

The Lakers’ frontcourt need

The Lakers, needing frontcourt help after losing LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes and trading away DeAndre Ayton, aggressively pursued Kuminga and reportedly upped their offer to a three-year deal worth roughly $36 million (about $12 million annually).

Attention now turns to whether the Lakers plan to make one more move to bolster their frontcourt or if the squad will attempt to address the issue with what it already has—a difficult task for head coach JJ Redick ahead of the upcoming NBA season.

According to NBA insider Ryan Ward, the squad could look at the NBA veteran for its final addition of the 2026 offseason. “Kevin Love is an intriguing option, as he remains unsigned,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Ward.

“There was speculation earlier in the summer that he’d finally come to Los Angeles after years of him being linked to the team if LeBron James returned to the Lakers, but obviously that didn’t happen. However, Love is still there for the taking. He’d provide some rebounding, scoring and shooting off the bench, along with giving the team some much-needed championship experience, which only Looney possesses at this point.”

Other options for the Lakers

The Lakers still need to trim their roster to comply with the NBA’s limit, but it can take it a step further. By trading or waiving players like Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, and Bronny James, the squad could easily trim the roster while making room for an additional big man off the bench.

Kevin Love fits the mold, but several players could thrive in a similar role. “Other notable options include Dwight Powell, Bismack Biyombo, Drew Eubanks, Xavier Tillman, and Mason Plumlee,” Ward noted.

What Love can offer

At 37 years old, Kevin Love is no longer the All-Star he was in his prime, but reasons to believe he can still make a significant impact on the court. Beyond being a five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and NBA champion, he brings maturity and a competitive culture to the locker room.

Last NBA season, across 37 games, he averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. Even in a minor role, Love can provide a critical spark with his rebounding and floor spacing. At the very least, he can help mentor younger players like Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero.

Many have wondered about Kuminga’s position on the ascendant, young Western Conference squad. In an interview with “Run It Back,” Kuminga’s agent laid out how his client will fit with the team.

Turner explained that Kuminga was brought in with a clearly defined starting role right from the jump. “Yeah, this was a clear-cut… you’re coming in here to start at the four, with Melo, Ant, Jaden, JK, Rudy,” Turner said. “Obviously they have great young guys coming in too. You got Ayo, you got Terrence Shannon Jr., Donte when he comes back.”

On-court role and lineup dynamics

Questions remain regarding how Kuminga will function on the court and during training camp with his new teammates, particularly alongside dominant options like Ball and Anthony Edwards.

Turner explained how the Timberwolves view Kuminga’s role heading into camp, given how stacked the roster is. “I think on paper, this is obviously one of the most stacked teams. Going into camp, going into preseason, how are they viewing JK? Is he a starter? Is he more of an energy guy? What are they looking to use him for, playing with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball? Obviously he’s 23 years old.”

Turner pointed out that this is the first time in Kuminga’s six-year NBA career that he enters a season already knowing he will start. During his tenure with the Golden State Warriors, his starting status was always in question under head coach Steve Kerr, a scenario that carried over during his time with the Atlanta Hawks.

“So they pitched a great, clear role,” Turner added. “And for JK going into year six, which it’s crazy it’s year six now, but he’s never got to come into the season going, ‘I know I’m the starter.’ That tailwind of just clear, ‘Hey man, you’re coming in here to start.’ Chris Finch did a great job explaining the role to him that he envisions and how they wanna play.”

Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, said his client now has more control over his future, which was not the case with the more valuable previous offers. During a recent conversation on “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV, Turner explained Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings are the teams he is eyeing for a potential move next summer.

“I would say on paper, next year for Jonathan Kuminga is a way better free-agency year for him,” Turner told Chandler Parsons. “There are a lot of teams with money, and if you have paid attention to the JK’s recruiting saga over the last few years, those teams that have been trying to sign and trade from (are) Sacramento and Chicago.”

Intriguing free-agency destinations

While Turner did not confirm that Kuminga will eventually move out of Minnesota, he did name the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls as the two teams that he would be looking at in the free agency that comes before the next season.

“These teams have a lot of money next year. Now I’m not saying that will necessarily (offer a trade, but) who knows. But the game board is set very, very well for JK for 2027, but you have to be able to get into that market,” Turner added.

To some, these may not sound like the most eye-catching options currently, but Kuminga expects to be the primary star of a franchise. Finding that role on a squad with established stars like Minnesota—featuring Kuminga and LaMelo Ball—remains difficult while also attempting to win a championship.

Contract flexibility and roster fit

“And if you have a team option, you could have as good a year as you want; you can’t get into that market,” Turner said. “So with a player option now, you decide if you want to be in that market, and that is a big, big deal in controlling your future earnings.”

Additionally, the roster fit for Kuminga is itself intriguing, given he will be starting alongside franchise icon Anthony Edwards, the newly signed LaMelo Ball, and Jaden McDaniels.

“Putting money before basketball isn’t how you continue to make more and more money,” Turner said during an appearance on the Run It Back podcast. “Next year presents a much stronger free agency class for him. Teams that attempted to land him via sign-and-trade, like Sacramento and Chicago, will have significant cap space available.”

Facing limited playing time with the Warriors, Kuminga sought a fresh start and finished last season with the Atlanta Hawks. Now, he enters a pivotal stretch of his career focused on finding the right fit to maximize his potential.

Just as the Miami Heat acted quickly to acquire Klay Thompson—who looks to build chemistry alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo—the Timberwolves made an aggressive move to land Kuminga, adding a high-upside wing who has shown flashes of elite talent.

Kuminga’s potential impact on the Wolves’ roster

To gauge Kuminga’s potential impact in Minnesota, it helps to analyze his fit within a lineup headlined by Edwards and offseason acquisition LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets.

His elite vertical athleticism, transition speed, and dynamic rim pressure directly address a key void left by off-season departures, giving the Timberwolves an explosive, low-maintenance finishing option who can cut off-ball, run the floor, and attack the basket without demanding high-volume shot creation.

Defensively, Kuminga provides long-limbed, multi-positional versatility alongside McDaniels on the perimeter, allowing head coach Chris Finch to deploy switchable defensive looks while utilizing Gobert as the primary paint protector.

Timberwolves’ projected lineup for next season

With Kuminga projected to secure a prominent role, the Timberwolves aim to build on last season’s momentum following a deep playoff run. Here is Minnesota’s projected starting lineup heading into the season:

• Point Guard: LaMelo Ball
• Shooting Guard: Anthony Edwards
• Small Forward: Jaden McDaniels
• Power Forward: Jonathan Kuminga
• Center: Rudy Gobert

The Los Angeles Lakers failed to secure Kuminga despite long being considered the heavy favorites, as Edwards stepped up to finalize the pitch. Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, revealed to The Athletic how Edwards helped convince his client to choose Minnesota.

“Ant was super active in the recruitment of him,” Turner said. “One thing he did was focus his message on, we’re gonna really guard here. Everybody looked at the offensive end. JK and I looked more at the defensive end.”

Kuminga’s agreement with the Timberwolves

The Timberwolves were initially offering Kuminga just the $3.6 million veteran minimum salary, which was too low for even Edwards to make progress. However, the Timberwolves recently brought in a new controlling owner in Marc Stad. Stad instructed president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to do whatever it took to reach the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

What Kuminga and Edwards bring to the floor

Edwards had already reached out to Kuminga, speaking with him about how the Timberwolves struggled to contain him when facing the Golden State Warriors in the 2025 playoffs. The 23-year-old notably averaged 26.3 points over the final three games of that series, offering a preview of what he can deliver.

Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, split between the Warriors and Hawks during the 2025-26 NBA season. Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option for the 2026-27 season, allowing him to enter free agency.

Importantly, the deal with the Timberwolves includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. If Kuminga excels, he could test the market again in 2027 when his value is at its peak.

As for Edwards, his value has remained elite and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. The four-time All-Star averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game in the 2025-26 season. Edwards stands as one of the premier players in the world, though an NBA championship has eluded him. Now, teamed up with Kuminga, he will aim to capture his first ring.

NBA reporter Jake Weinbach threw out the idea of Chicago being the third team to help the Lakers finally complete a sign-and-trade for Kuminga. “As the Lakers discuss Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade scenarios with the Hawks, the Bulls would be worth mentioning as a potential third team facilitator,” Weinbach wrote in a post on X. “The Lakers would likely include Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht in trade talks, while Chicago has an open roster spot.”

Although the Bulls might seem like an unexpected squad to be included in a sign-and-trade sending Kuminga to Los Angeles, there is a very clear reason why Chicago would want to participate.

Unexpected interest

The Bulls enter the pursuit of Kuminga in an unexpected manner, but a logical explanation exists, even if a deal remains unlikely to happen. After multiple reports indicated that Jarred Vanderbilt is not being used as the main piece in a deal, it looks like the Lakers are more willing to give up some of their young players to acquire Kuminga.

For Chicago, a rebuilding squad, finding a way to enter the bidding for Jaden Hardy, Dalton Knecht, or Adou Thiero would prove beneficial. Chicago would be doing the Lakers a favor by helping to finalize a transaction and receiving promising young talent in return.

If the Lakers are willing to give up a few fringe roster players who could have a brighter future elsewhere while landing Kuminga in return, a team like the Bulls makes perfect sense to help close the gap in negotiations between Los Angeles and Atlanta that have put a deal on hold for the entire NBA offseason.

Another team in the mix

Additionally, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are doing everything possible to steal Kuminga from the Lakers, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted on “The Hoop Collective” podcast that the forward is most likely to land in Los Angeles next NBA season via a three-team deal, perhaps one involving Chicago.

“There’s still a window there for the Lakers to do a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade deal using Jaden Hardy. But my thing on the whole Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade thing is that for the Hawks to do a sign-and-trade, they’re going to probably end up in the tax unless you can ship someone to a third team who has to be paid,” Windhorst said. “And I’ve just been very doubtful that unless the Hawks are in love with the situation that they’re going to end up signing and trading Kuminga.”

According to BasketballTalk, the Lakers and Hawks are in active discussions on a sign-and-trade that would send Jaden Hardy to Atlanta and Kuminga to Los Angeles, with an agreement virtually completed.

The battle for Kuminga has seemingly come down to the Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, offering two intriguing fits with different situations regarding what each franchise can offer. Miami Heat were previously in the mix, but landing Kuminga became impossible for the squad following the arrival of Klay Thompson.

Jonathan Kuminga views Lakers as ‘better fit’ over Timberwolves

According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, Kuminga likes the fit with the Lakers, as he would get the opportunity to start right out of the gate at power forward alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Kuminga reportedly favors playing for the Lakers as a better overall fit. Regardless of Kuminga’s preference, the clock is ticking, and there is a chance the Lakers front office could begin to lose patience and pivot elsewhere.

Ultimately, the Lakers would be a better NBA team with Kuminga in the mix, but it remains to be seen when the situation gets resolved and where he lands when a decision is finally made.

Kuminga’s on-court complications

The forward has spent five seasons in the NBA, and while he possesses plenty of athleticism and overall potential, he has failed to realize much of that potential to this point. His 3-point shooting has been mostly subpar, and while he has the raw potential to become a very good defender, his execution on that end of the floor has been inconsistent.

Golden State Warriors, who drafted Kuminga with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, traded him to Atlanta midway through last season. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr benched him multiple times before that midseason trade.

Shams Charania reported shortly after news of the Schroder trade broke that the Cavaliers are still “strongly” pursuing both Kuminga and Watson while keeping the re-signing of James Harden as their top focus.

“The Cavaliers remain in constant communication with James Harden and his agents on a new contract to return to Cleveland while they strongly pursue two free agent forwards — restricted Peyton Watson and unrestricted Jonathan Kuminga — made more viable with Friday’s trade,” Charania reported.

What the Cavaliers gained

The Cavaliers free up about $6.8 million in cap space in this deal, reports Keith Smith of Spotrac, putting them approximately $29.6 million below the first apron of the luxury tax (and by extension about $40.3 million below the second apron).

That is still not enough room to trade for Watson or Kuminga and re-sign Harden, so either Max Struss’ salary will have to go out in any deal, or he will be traded elsewhere (Mann could also be moved again). Cleveland has more options now.

Cavaliers focused on Harden

Cleveland has remained in contact with Harden and his camp throughout the summer, Charania notes. Harden opted out of his $42.3 million player option for this NBA season to give the franchise room to chase players like LeBron James (who chose Philadelphia) or make a move for a player like Watson or Kuminga. Harden will re-sign with Cleveland for less per year but more total money across the multi-year contract.

On the flip side, if Cleveland is working to put together a better offer for Watson now that Schroder is gone, that could help guide Kuminga straight to Los Angeles. With the Lakers reportedly pursuing the forward the way that they are, they can only hope that will be the case. He should feel the same way, too, as LA has more for him.

On Friday, Anthony Slater contributed to a piece on ESPN updating where things stand regarding Kuminga and the Lakers. “The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn’t satisfy all sides. The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks.”

It was previously reported that negotiations between Los Angeles and Kuminga had stalled. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that this stalemate continues. The Lakers, as Slater reported, remain interested and have continued calling to inquire about the talented forward.

Lakers will keep pursuing Kuminga

While this Kuminga free agency has been long and tiring for fans, it is all part of the negotiations. Remember that the Lakers are not the only ones interested in Kuminga.

The Hawks reportedly want a first-round swap, Kuminga wants a deal that he is enticed to sign, and Los Angeles’ alleged contract offer has not accomplished that. Until all parties can agree, this will continue to drag on. Ultimately, though, this is Kuminga’s decision.

While a sign-and-trade would bring him the greatest financial benefit, he is an unrestricted free agent and can choose his destination. Information regarding his possibilities will likely remain the same for now, and he must decide what he wants to do.

The Lakers can offer Kuminga the opportunity to start on a team with title aspirations. If he plays well in the purple and gold jersey, it could greatly boost his reputation in the NBA.

According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the team could set its sights on Northern California to steal De’Andre Hunter from the Sacramento Kings. “Hunter is extension eligible, but as Sacramento retools, the franchise needs to wait and see before making any further hefty commitments. The Lakers can help get the team immediately under the luxury tax with a combination of Vanderbilt, Knecht, and Hardy (or LaRavia),” wrote Pincus.

Hunter is a former lottery pick who has shown flashes of being a strong three-and-D player over the years. He’s been wildly inconsistent from season to season and has struggled to stay on the floor at times, but he’s also tailor-made for JJ Redick’s system and what the Lakers need at forward, making him potentially the perfect alternative to Kuminga.

What the Kings would need to consider

Sacramento would have to accept a combination of players the Lakers are clearly finished with and trying to move away from. Knowing that, it might not be an easy sell. The Kings would look at a combination of Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and Jaden Hardy.

It was made clear that Hunter is a fallback option and not a priority. Perhaps a fresh start with a contender could help the Lakers easily get over the idea of Kuminga if the team ultimately ends up missing out, but the Kings won’t let him go easily either.

Hunter’s NBA career trajectory

Hunter started his career with the Atlanta Hawks. He spent six NBA seasons there, appearing in 300 games. The veteran forward posted averages of 14.8 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 36.8% from three.

In 2024-2025, the Hawks sent Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was traded after playing 43 games with the Cavs, just one year after the initial trade. Hunter left Cleveland after averaging 14.1 points and 4.2 rebounds, making 35.2% of his shots from three.

Hunter appeared in just two games for the Kings last year. For the time being, he is expected to spend the 2026-2027 season in Sacramento. This season, Hunter is set to make $24.9 million before becoming a free agent in 2027.