Sports

Jonathan Kuminga isn’t worth the Lakers’ effort if latest report proves true

Lake Show Life · Jul 21, 2026 23:18 · 3 min read

Jonathan Kuminga isn’t worth the Lakers’ effort if latest report proves true — Apr 18, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dribbles during the second half of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Los Angeles Lakers need to know when to walk away from Jonathan Kuminga negotiations. That time may be arriving.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly offered Jonathan Kuminga a two-year, $20 million contract. It was a risky offer from the start, as Kuminga has never played for the Lakers, let alone with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and doesn't exactly have the perfect skill set to seamlessly fit alongside them.

Unfortunately, Kuminga is now reportedly looking for not $20 million across two years, but $20 million per season. If that's true, then it's time for the Lakers to walk away.

Los Angeles' interest in Kuminga certainly makes sense. He's a talented 23-year-old scoring threat who'd be joining a team that doesn't yet have a clearly defined third option. He's also an athletic forward who has the tools to be a great defender.

Unfortunately, after Los Angeles attempted to sign Kuminga at $10 million per season, Lakers insider Jovan Buha is reporting that he's asking for double the price.

Considering a multi-year contract at $10 million per season was risky already, the Lakers need to walk away if this is the direction that negotiations are heading in.

Lakers can't justify $20 million per season for Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga is in a difficult spot as a player. The Golden State Warriors never truly invested in his development relative to how he prefers to play, and in 2025, after spending four years in limbo, he signed his qualifying offer to return to said franchise with the understanding that he'd inevitably be traded.

Kuminga was then traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2025-26, but he was injured when he arrived and thus had a limited opportunity to showcase what he could do.

With this in mind, it's easy to understand why he's pushing for a salary that's in line with what he believes his talent is worth. Unfortunately, it's also difficult for the Lakers or any other franchise to justify such a hefty investment with such limited tape to base their assessment on.

Through five seasons, Kuminga has averaged at least 25.0 minutes per game in just one season: A distant 2023-24 campaign.

Jonathan Kuminga is too much of an enigma to pretend he isn't

That alone would make it hard for Los Angeles to commit $20 million per season, but there's even more to it than what isn't known. What is known, for instance, is that Kuminga is a career 33.2 percent three-point shooter who has been criticized for his inconsistency on defense.

There have certainly been flashes of brilliance in virtually every phase of the game, but between the uncertainty and what's he's done when on the court, signing Kuminga isn't exactly a safe bet.

If Kuminga continues to shoot inefficiently, then playing him alongside ball-dominant playmakers in Doncic and Reaves would be difficult to justify. If he continues to offer inconsistent energy on defense, then it'll be impossible to give him minutes next to two offensively-inclined stars.

It's entirely fair to take a chance on Kuminga and his undeniable talent, but the Lakers are setting themselves up for a nightmare if they commit $20 million per season to a questionable fit.