Jonathan Kuminga remains one of the most intriguing names left on the free agency market, with teams across the league closely monitoring his next move. Drafted seventh overall by the Warriors in 2021, the talented forward spent five seasons with Golden State, won an NBA championship, and was traded alongside Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in February 2026.
While several franchises are looking to upgrade their wing depth, the Los Angeles Lakers seem particularly invested in landing the 2022 NBA champion. However, Kuminga is not the only player on their radar this offseason.
Lakers Front Office Seeks Perimeter Depth Amid Jonathan Kuminga pursuit
The NBA offseason is reaching a fever pitch, particularly for the LA Lakers, who have bid farewell to LeBron James and are now aiming to retool their roster around franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić through free agency.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Purple and Gold are actively pursuing Kuminga, who became a free agent after the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option. The front office is also considering additional options due to financial constraints and to avoid relying solely on one player to solve their roster problems.
“The Lakers have pursued Jonathan Kuminga from Atlanta via sign-and-trade since early in free agency, but they’ve also shown a determination to address their very clear need for more depth and defensive prowess on the perimeter by pursuing other targets,” reported Stein.
During the 2025–26 season, Kuminga played a combined 36 regular-season games for the Warriors and Hawks, averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
While the 23-year-old remains unsigned and continues to generate speculation, Lakers management is balancing that pursuit with a search for other players who can provide bench depth for a deep playoff run.
Stein noted that on July 13, the Lakers agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with free agent Ziaire Williams, a former No. 10 overall pick. They have also expressed interest in former No. 20 overall selection Matisse Thybulle, a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team honoree, to bolster their perimeter defense.
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Last season, injuries limited Thybulle to just 30 games for the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 16.0 minutes, 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 43.3% from the field, 39.8% from three-point range, and 84.0% from the free-throw line.
The Lakers’ primary focus remains on securing a potential blockbuster deal for Kuminga while negotiating a contract with Thybulle. If the front office can successfully juggle these moves, the Lakers will enter the upcoming season with the depth and defensive upgrades needed to contend in the highly competitive Western Conference.
