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.

Doncic previously led the Lakers’ Slovenia minicamp, embracing his new teammates ahead of the upcoming season. Based on the superstar’s initiative, Williams simply cannot wait to share the court with him.

“I can tell (Doncic’s) leadership. He wants to step up even more this year,” Williams said, via Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register. “I’m excited, man. I’m really excited to play with him. And of course, when we’re playing basketball, it’s just he makes the game just so easy and looks so simple. He’s going to make my life a lot easier for sure.”

Ziaire Williams ready to capitalize on opportunity

For the new Lakers wing, the decision to sign with the franchise was a no-brainer, considering the impactful role he will fill and the significant opportunity to play in front of his loved ones.

“I just thought it was a great opportunity,” Williams said. “Being that big wing, versatile player that they needed, I just thought it was a great opportunity for me to be a Laker. Even if the same team was in New Orleans or Milwaukee, wherever – just the opportunity that was here and the team that they had, I just thought it was the best fit.”

Additionally, returning to his hometown of Los Angeles stood out as a major factor in joining the team. “And then just being back home in L.A. is the cherry on top,” Williams added. “Being able to play in front of my family and my friends, and I’m super excited.”

Ziaire Williams’ contract details and career progression

Williams signed a one-year, $2.85 million veteran’s minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. He hit unrestricted free agency after the Brooklyn Nets declined the $6.25 million team option on his contract, clearing the way for him to sign with Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old played the best NBA season of his young career during the 2025-26 campaign. Averaging a career-best 10.2 points and 1.4 steals, Williams put together a breakout year in Brooklyn.

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.

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.

As a result, teams around the NBA are monitoring Doncic’s situation just in case things go wrong, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Just like [Nikola Jokic] can profess his loyalty to the Nuggets, there’s still going to be teams that are positioning themselves and monitoring that and all that kind of thing,” MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective. “It’s the same thing with Luka. He’s done nothing but express optimism and excitement about the Lakers since he signed that extension.”

“But it’s not that long-term of an extension,” MacMahon added. “And you better believe there’s teams around the league that are looking at that situation saying, ‘Hey, if this thing goes sideways, we’d sure like to get Luka in midway through his prime.’“

Doncic reacts to latest ownership shift

Doncic‘s reaction remains critical for the franchise as its main face and star figure for years to come. The incoming group will mark the fifth different owner or ownership group Doncic has played under in recent years.

The six-time All-Star brought up the frequent turnover when reacting to the sale. “Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA,” Doncic stated.

“I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together.”

Doncic’s on-court production and loyalty

Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per NBA game in 2025-26, has shown remarkable performance alongside a loyal track record. The 27-year-old never wanted to leave the Mavericks and was stunned when traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.

Sam Amick of The Athletic previously reported that Leonard had a staggering list of demands for the Lakers. Behind his uncle and infamous business manager, Dennis Robertson, Leonard wanted the franchise to meet lofty conditions before he would consider signing with the purple and gold:

• Part ownership of the team
• A private plane that would be available at all times
• A house
• A guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement money

Robertson repeatedly demanded all these from Jeanie Buss, but the Lakers governor ultimately dismissed them due to obvious illegality under the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Kawhi’s suspicious decision

What was once puzzling now makes sense regarding why he ended up choosing that destination. In the end, Leonard joined the Clippers on a three-year, $103.1 million contract. At that time, no one knew that both sides had a handshake agreement that would create headlines across the NBA six years later.

New revelation in the investigation

After fully exposing Leonard and the Clippers’ ties to Aspiration through a dummy $28 million endorsement contract, investigative journalist Pablo Torre recently revealed another crucial detail, adding a new dimension to the case surrounding the star forward.

According to Torre, Leonard apparently has another hidden channel to receive off-the-books money from the Clippers. Daktronics, the manufacturer of Los Angeles’ scoreboard, has a secret multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with Leonard.

The Clippers commissioned Daktronics for $100 million for the construction of the famous “Halo Board” at Intuit Dome, raising questions about how much Leonard earned through this secret deal with the electronics company.

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.

Dan Woike of The Athletic relayed Doncic’s email message to fans regarding his offseason health progress. “I took a real break from basketball the first few weeks after the season ended to rehab my body. My recovery went great, and I’m 100% healthy again,” Doncic wrote.

“Taking some time away from basketball is something I do at the start of every offseason. It’s a different way to do things, but it works for me. When I let myself miss the game a little bit and try some new things, it only makes me more excited and motivated to get back to playing.”

Doncic’s recovery

Doncic went through a difficult stretch where injuries sidelined him from the court last season. He notably went down with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain near the end of the NBA regular season, disappointingly hurting the team’s title odds and halting his MVP-caliber year in which he led the NBA in scoring at 33.5 points per game.

Due to the severity of the injury, Doncic was forced to travel to Europe to seek specialized medical treatment. Yet despite his efforts, he was still sidelined and could not play for the Lakers when it mattered most, leaving him with no choice but to watch the Lakers get swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

After the season ended for both Doncic and the Lakers, getting back to full health became the Slovenian star’s main offseason focus. As such, his full recovery should now provide the franchise with added optimism heading into next season.

Expectations and goals for Doncic are now even higher following LeBron James’ departure from the Lakers. With James gone, Doncic takes over as the team’s primary leader and sole superstar, looking to guide the franchise back to glory in the NBA.

However, it is still unclear if Thompson, who has one year left on his deal with the Mavericks, is looking for a way out of Dallas, according to The Athletic’s Christian Clark. “At this point, it remains unclear if Klay Thompson, the Mavericks’ leading 3-point shooter in each of the past two seasons, will be back in Dallas for a third year,” Clark reported.

“The Mavericks have explored his trade market but have yet to find a deal, multiple sources with rival teams told The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss any potential negotiations. Thompson is owed $17.5 million this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027.”

Why Thompson favors Los Angeles

The report adds that a specific factor draws Thompson to Los Angeles: his past. He spent part of his childhood in the area and already owns a home there, which would make adapting to the city simple.

“My understanding is that Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and still owns a home. The Miami Heat are another team frequently mentioned in NBA circles as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer,” Clark concluded.

Thompson has $17.4 million left on the final year of his three-year deal with the Mavericks. His production has remained steady, with Thompson averaging 11.7 points on 39.3% shooting, including 38.3% from deep in the 2025-26 NBA season.

Mavericks in no rush for a buyout

The Mavericks are reportedly in no rush to part ways with veteran guard Klay Thompson. While the Heat has expressed interest in acquiring the five-time All-Star, the franchise would prefer making a trade rather than reaching a buyout agreement, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“Dallas has no reason to want to buy him out and would prefer to find a trade for him. Klay would need to give up significant money in a buyout,” Siegel wrote on X.

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.