Lakers linked to trade for $48.5 million Warriors misfit, NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Things will go down to the wire for the Los Angeles Lakers this trade season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2025-26 trade deadline is less than 24 hours away, and it’s unclear if the Lakers will actually go through with a midseason deal.
Still, that hasn’t stopped Los Angeles from being linked to skilled wings across the league. A 6-foot-7 Golden State Warriors misfit and NBA champion is one of the contributors the Lakers have their eyes on.
“According to league sources, the Lakers have been linked to virtually every defensive wing on the market, including Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga, the (Los Angeles) Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr., and Chicago’s (Bulls) Isaac Okoro,” The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported Wednesday.
“Kuminga and Jones are currently injured, though. Okoro and Jones also carry contracts that would cut into cap space next summer, while Kuminga’s contract includes a team option for next year.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere are rumors that Kuminga could remain with the Warriors past the Feb. 5 deadline, which would be bad news for the former lottery pick. Kuminga’s skill set isn’t an ideal match with the Dubs, and the longer Golden State extends his future with the franchise, the worse off he’ll be.
A fresh start via a trade to the Lakers would be a viable option for Kuminga, as he would have a chance to start over while operating in a competitive Western Conference environment. The 23-year-old must improve his perimeter shooting to be deemed a respectable fit alongside Luka Doncic in Los Angeles, though (he’s only connecting on 32.1% of his triples this season).
All in all, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility for the Lakers to acquire Kuminga just in the nick of time.
More NBA: Lakers predicted to acquire $54 million Warriors outcast in LeBron James-centered trade
AdvertisementAdvertisement
