Jonathan Kuminga has been linked to a number of teams, and now, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of them.
After having his team option declined by the Atlanta Hawks, former lottery pick Jonathan Kuminga has been linked to a number of teams, and now, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of them.
According to a report from Dan Woike of The Athletic, Kuminga is a "high-upside swing receiving significant consideration" from L.A.
"A high-upside swing receiving significant consideration, per league sources, is former Golden State Warrior and Atlanta Hawk Jonathan Kuminga, whose $24.3 million team option was recently declined by Atlanta," Woike wrote.
A separate report from NBA insider Marc Stein appears to confirm the buzz.
Kuminga, a free agent after having his option declined, can join a team of his choosing this summer. He could do so via a traditional deal or by participating in a sign-and-trade with the help of the Hawks.
The Lakers have been among the busiest teams in the NBA this offseason, completely reshaping their roster after learning that NBA icon LeBron James was departing.
L.A.'s move for big man Walker Kessler stands out as the team's biggest addition to this point, but fellow newcomers Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton can't be overlooked.
Still, the Lakers could use some help on the wing, and Kuminga fits the mold.
This past season, he averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
For his career, he has maintained similar averages of 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on 50.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.2 percent shooting from deep.
At 6-foot-7, he has a lot of tools that are easy to like. He is also just 23 years old and may therefore have some untapped potential still in the tank.
But it must also be noted that he hasn't quite lived up to expectations at the NBA level, which contributed to the Warriors moving on from him and perhaps the possibility of the Hawks doing the same. The former No. 7 overall pick is certainly a serviceable NBA player but hasn't blown many people away since being drafted.
Regardless, there is clearly a market for him. He is going to find somewhere to sign this summer and will hope to make an impact wherever he lands. While a return to the Hawks can't be written off, it's clear that Atlanta isn't the only team involved here.
