Despite the trade rumours circulating, the truth is that the Los Angeles Lakers do not have a serious interest in trading for Jonathan Kuminga, and for good reason. He does not fit what this team needs right now, and forcing the idea just because he is young and has some upside would be a mistake.
According to Jovan Buha on Buha’s Block, “There has been some stuff about him viewing himself at a certain level… there’s a fine line between confidence and delusion, and some of the stuff that’s come out of Kuminga’s camp has trended more on the delusion side.”
Jonathan Kuminga trade would create more Lakers problems
That right there in itself is a major red flag, especially for a Lakers team that just handed Luka Doncic a $165 million extension and made him the clear centerpiece of the franchise. There is now no more room for ego battles, and certainly no space for another ball-dominant player who does not shoot well from outside or move well off the ball. Kuminga’s biggest issue is not talent, but rather how he views the role he should be placed in. He does not want to be a role player.
Buha went on to state in his podcast that, “He’s going to want to start and have a certain role and a certain amount of touches, and I just don’t think that makes a lot of sense.” If he came to Los Angeles, he would not be there to complement Luka. He would want to be there so the Los Angeles bright lights shine directly onto him. The fit on the floor is just as questionable. Kuminga does not space the floor well. Last season, he shot just 30.5 percent from deep.
If the Lakers are going to make a trade, they need someone who can help solve their three-point shooting problems, not add to them. It is also important to note that he is not a plus defender yet and does not offer much playmaking.
In the four seasons he has played, he has only averaged 1.8 assists per game. Pairing him with Doncic would shrink the floor and disrupt the rhythm of an offence that needs clarity and structure, not more improvisation. The Lakers are trying to win now. They are not rebuilding, and they need to stop and find a proper direction. The idea of Kuminga in purple and gold might sound fun, but it lacks real traction within the organization, and that is as it should be.
