The Los Angeles Lakers’ quest to upgrade their roster is ongoing. With a little less than a month away from the NBA trade deadline, the Lakers are covering all their bases as they seek a roster upgrade, particularly at the wing position.
The Lakers lack a true 3-and-D wing on their roster, which is a main reason they’ve struggled in their losses, especially against opponents who aren’t so great matchups for them. Los Angeles is on the lookout for players who fit the bill, and one who they’ve reportedly expressed interest in is Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Lakers have contacted the Warriors on a potential trade for the former lottery pick.
“The purple-and-gold’s known preference at this deadline is to acquire a true 3-and-D wing with size if possible to provide some point-of-attack resistance on the perimeter as well as some shooting, but it must be said the Lakers, according to sources, did call Golden State about Kuminga during the sides’ summer standoff in restricted free agency I’m told that the Lakers have likewise continued to monitor Kuminga’s situation while casting a wide net to try to find help on a very limited wing market.”
Kuminga has remained a potential trade candidate this season. He was at the forefront of that conversation this past summer, and that has intensified with the trade deadline looming.
The 23-year-old is a skilled basketball player who has yet to reach his ceiling. Nonetheless, with how things look, he could be on the move from the Warriors. He is eligible to be traded in three days as the Warriors hope to utilize his $24.3 million salary to find a better win-now fit for their roster.
Kuminga’s time in the Bay Area is certainly winding down, and the Lakers could offer a decent package for the former lottery pick.
While the Lakers remain motivated to improve defensively, they aren’t prepared to sacrifice future assets for a player they don’t deem worthy of that kind of investment. It’s unclear if the Lakers deem Kuminga worthy.
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