Lakers Receive Major Jonathan Kuminga Update After Signing $19 Million Guard

The Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga has narrowed sharply after their 2026 offseason transactions left them without salary-cap room. Since LeBron James departed after eight seasons, Rui Hachimura moved to the Clippers, Marcus Smart signed with Houston, and Luke Kennard went to Phoenix, the Lakers have sought to address wing depth. With Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton added, a key constraint emerged: after Sexton’s signing became official Sunday, L.A. no longer can offer Kuminga $10 million annually without a sign-and-trade, according to Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkland. Starkland says the two-year, $20 million offer is off the table, with Atlanta required for a sign-and-trade. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports L.A. has tried to convince Kuminga with promises of a larger role, while Kuminga is seeking at least $15 million per season.