The clock is ticking for the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire the pieces they need heading into the second half of the season. We are only a little over a week away from the NBA trade deadline, and the Lakers have yet to solve their defensive issues. There have been rumors that LA has been scouting a $46,800,000 forward.
However, an NBA insider cleared the air and provided a massive update regarding the Lakers’ plans to trade for the forward.
Lakers are Targeting Jonathan Kuminga Before the Trade Deadline
According to several rumors, the Lakers have been keeping their eye out for the Golden State Warriors’ forward, Jonathan Kuminga. NBA insider Brett Siegel confirmed these rumors, but it appears that neither team has made any offers.
Siegel reported that the Warriors are fully aware of the Lakers’ interest in Kuminga. However, the Warriors organization stated that the Lakers have nothing of equal value to trade for their forward. With that said, it doesn’t seem like Kuminga will be suiting up for another team this season.
“Multiple league sources say that there are no active, ongoing discussions between the Warriors and Lakers regarding Jonathan Kuminga,” Siegel reported on X. “The Lakers do hold interest in Kuminga, but the Warriors have made it clear LA has nothing of value to them. There is no offer.”
Multiple league sources tell @ClutchPoints that there are no active, ongoing discussions between the Warriors and Lakers regarding Jonathan Kuminga.
The Lakers do hold interest in Kuminga, but the Warriors have made it clear LA has nothing of value to them.
There is no offer.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) January 27, 2026
Kuminga’s situation in Golden State has been confusing lately. The rising star requested a trade on January 15 due to the tensions between him and the Warriors organization. However, with only a week remaining until the trade deadline, it appears the Warriors’ front office might not pull the trigger on Kuminga’s request.
What complicates Kuminga’s situation is the knee injury he sustained on Jan. 22 during the Warriors’ game against the Dallas Mavericks. Teams are unlikely to entertain an offer made by Golden State if they intend to trade an injured player.
To make matters worse, Warriors star Jimmy Butler III was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an ACL tear in his right knee. With Butler out of the picture, Golden State might need Kuminga’s services after all as they continue to fight for a spot in the postseason.
