The Los Angeles Lakers have made several major offseason moves to build around superstar guard Luka Dončić.
However, according to Lakers insider Dave McMenamin, the team isn’t done adding new players.
Dave McMenamin Teases Another Lakers Addition Amid Busy Offseason
The Lakers’ biggest move this summer came when they landed Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster sign-and-trade to address their long-standing need at center.
The NBA’s leading offensive rebounder during the 2024-25 campaign, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game before being limited to just five outings this past season. The 24-year-old’s imposing frontcourt presence will be vital alongside Dončić and Austin Reaves as LA looks to contend for a championship.
The Lakers also boosted their roster by adding floor-spacing forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili, shooting guard Quentin Grimes, and combo guard Collin Sexton amid a flurry of free-agent signings. A few days later, they added veteran center Kevon Looney after sending Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards. Looney is expected to serve as Kessler’s backup in the frontcourt.
However, McMenamin believes LA is still looking to make one more high-impact addition.
“There’s one empty roster spot remaining. … They view this final spot as a very important piece to their potential puzzle,” McMenamin said on Wednesday’s edition of “NBA Today.”
“One guy they’re speaking to … Jonathan Kuminga, and right now, he’s without a team. … They would have to do some maneuvering, perhaps do another trade, use those two second-round picks that they got from Washington in the Ayton deal to maybe attach someone like a Dalton Knecht or a Jarred Vanderbilt to free up some cap space to give him a better offer than the veteran minimum.
“But certainly, they’re trying to pitch opportunity. You will come here, you’ll play on the biggest stage in basketball, and you may have to take a pay cut for a year or two, but you can get back into the big dollars.”
Dave McMenamin on whether the Lakers are done making moves:
“There’s one empty roster spot remaining. They view this final spot as a very important piece to their potential puzzle. They’re trying to pitch opportunity. You will come here, you’ll play on the biggest stage in… pic.twitter.com/tGle3XkvzJ
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 9, 2026
While the Lakers are actively pursuing Kuminga and the sides reportedly have mutual interest, negotiations have yet to gain serious momentum.
According to Lakers reporter Khobi Price, the Atlanta Hawks are open to helping facilitate a sign-and-trade that would send the athletic forward to LA. Under the proposed framework, the Lakers would land Kuminga, while Atlanta would receive Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap.
It remains to be seen how the Lakers continue their push for Kuminga, who has been a consistent target for the team this offseason. After the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option last month, Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick reportedly met with him the very next day.
