As the Lakers pursue Jonathan Kuminga and potential trades, Luka Dončić's future remains a focal point
Category: Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers are actively working to solidify their roster ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, with team insiders indicating a focus on acquiring new players, including unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. According to Khobi Price, a Lakers insider, the team has had a productive offseason but still sees room for improvement as they look to complete their lineup.
The Lakers have expressed interest in Kuminga, whose free agency has stalled recently. Team management believes that adding a credible starter at wing/forward is their last major need. In addition to Kuminga, the Lakers are also exploring options for another big man to back up Walker Kessler, who has emerged as the franchise's long-term center.
At just 25 years old, Kessler has shown promise, yet he has faced challenges with injuries that have limited his availability. Currently, the Lakers' only backup center is veteran Kevon Looney, who has not averaged more than 20 minutes per game over the past four seasons, highlighting the urgency for the Lakers to find additional frontcourt support.
In a related trade proposal, LakerTom of Lakerholics suggested a potential deal that would send young players Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero to the Miami Heat in exchange for Kel’el Ware, a promising big man. Ware, who was previously viewed as a franchise player for the Miami Heat, was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a major deal involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. During his second season, Ware averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, demonstrating his potential to be a valuable asset for the Lakers.
LakerTom noted that moving Carr and Thiero, both of whom are still developing, could be a wise decision if it means acquiring a player like Ware without sacrificing draft picks. "Trading them for a legitimate starting power forward could be the Lakers' best option," he stated, emphasizing that both players have upside but may not be ready to contribute immediately.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are also looking at other potential targets. According to The Athletic's Dan Woike, names like Jericho Sims from the Bucks and Jalen Smith from the Bulls have surfaced as possible additions to the team. With the right moves, the Lakers could significantly improve their roster and provide Luka Dončić with the support he needs to contend for a championship.
The Lakers' offseason strategy is influenced by their recent playoff disappointments, where they failed to make a deep run after trading for Dončić two years ago. The organization is determined to build a competitive team around the young superstar, who has made it clear that he does not favor a slow rebuild. Dončić, now 26, has expressed his desire for the Lakers to expedite their efforts in assembling a championship-caliber roster.
In a recent discussion with Lakers president Rob Pelinka and head coach J.J. Redick, Dončić emphasized the importance of immediate improvements. This urgency has driven the Lakers to re-sign Austin Reaves to a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract, initially projected to be worth $185 million with a player option. Reaves' new deal is expected to provide the Lakers with greater financial flexibility moving forward.
As the Lakers navigate their roster decisions, they must also manage their limited draft capital carefully. After trading two unprotected first-round picks and additional pick swaps to acquire Kessler, the Lakers are now in a position where they need to maximize their remaining assets. They recently regained some draft equity by trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and a couple of second-round picks, but this still leaves them with limited options for future trades.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are under pressure to finalize their roster before the new season begins. Currently, they need to reduce their roster from 16 to 15 players, and the addition of a starting-caliber forward remains a priority. The front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is tasked with finding the right balance between immediate upgrades and long-term sustainability.
As the offseason progresses, the Lakers will continue to evaluate potential trades and free-agent signings. The possibility of moving on from Reaves to pursue Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has also been floated, should Jokic decline his player option next summer. If the Lakers can successfully lure Jokic away from Denver, they would create a formidable duo alongside Dončić, significantly enhancing their championship prospects.
With the clock ticking on their offseason goals, the Lakers must act decisively. Their choices in the coming weeks will shape the immediate future of the franchise and determine how effectively they can support Dončić as he aims to lead the team back to championship contention. The Lakers are expected to make key decisions as they approach training camp, with the first preseason game scheduled for October 3, 2026.