Jonathan Kuminga remains a player the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in, and it is anyone’s guess how soon he will sign with a team. The Atlanta Hawks, the team he ended last season with, seem to be open to a sign-and-trade deal, but it is unknown what they’re demanding in return or what type of contract Kuminga will accept.
The Lakers have a great need for a starting-level two-way wing or forward, and while Kuminga comes with plenty of risk, he has the ability to fill that need well. Rohan Roman of the Sports Illustrated network proposed a three-team deal involving them, the Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks that would give them Kuminga and center Jericho Sims for Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and two second-round draft picks.
In this mock deal, Kuminga would then sign a four-year, $85.5 million contract with Los Angeles. Roman proposed structuring the contract so that it pays the forward $24 million in year one, $21.4 million the following season and $20 million apiece in the final two seasons. That sounds like a steep price to pay for Kuminga, whose focus, dedication, desire, effort and coachability have been seriously questioned in his five NBA seasons, but if he will reach his potential, he could justify that salary.
“Kuminga would be able to pop in LA in a way that was never going to happen in Atlanta,” Roman wrote. “[Luka] Doncic and [Austin] Reaves are two of the best high-volume shooters in the NBA and both can use him as a lob threat. Kuminga does put a lot of pressure on the rim and he’s shown signs of being more viable as a defender. He’s entering his age-24 season and the Lakers will be paying him as he’s likely entering his prime. There are plenty of athletic wings have seen their production spike as a result of playing with Doncic and Kuminga could be the next one to benefit.”
Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points on 50.2% overall shooting and 33.2% from 3-point range and 4.2 rebounds in 22.1 minutes a game so far in his NBA career. He was benched by the Golden State Warriors last season and then traded to the Hawks in February, and he could soon be running out of chances in the league if he doesn’t change his ways.
Some also feel the Lakers need another backup center, and Roman feels Sims could help in that regard.
“Jericho Sims would also be an interesting add for the Lakers. Sims is already 27 years old, so he doesn’t really fit Milwaukee’s timeline. There’s a lot more upside in LA where he can benefit from Doncic’s proficiency in the P&R and it’s an interesting flyer for them to take.”
Sims has also played five seasons in the league and has career averages of 3.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.1 minutes a game. At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, he could give the Lakers another option behind new addition Walker Kessler other than Kevon Looney, Kuminga’s former teammate in Golden State, and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Mock three-team trade lands Lakers Jonathan Kuminga and backup center
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
