Lakers hit with brutal ex-Warriors Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade update as T-Wolves linger

The Los Angeles Lakers have been pursuing Jonathan Kuminga since the beginning of free agency, shortly after LeBron James informed the organization that he would not be returning. Kuminga is just 23 years old and has already won an NBA championship, making him an intriguing option for the Lakers' future.

Los Angeles is in desperate need of a starting power forward, and the team has reportedly been gaining momentum in its pursuit of Kuminga.

“Significant momentum is now building towards Jonathan Kuminga soon finalizing a contract with the Lakers. With the Cavaliers choosing Peyton Watson instead, Kuminga's options are now limited to Los Angeles or the Timberwolves. Kuminga's preferred landing spot is the Lakers," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

This is exactly where the Lakers want to be, even though the process has taken much longer than they would have liked. After the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for Peyton Watson, the path for Kuminga to land in Los Angeles appeared to become much clearer.

“Jonathan Kuminga landing with the Los Angeles Lakers seems inevitable at this point. On Tuesday, it appeared Kuminga had three suitors remaining in his free-agent sweepstakes: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers,” New York Post’s Valentina Martinez wrote.

However, despite the growing optimism surrounding the Lakers, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the Minnesota Timberwolves could ultimately land the NBA champion.

“Watch the Wolves in the next couple days, I do think there's a possibility of Demar Derozan signing with the Nuggets. Shoutout to Chris Haynes. It's still open, there's still a window for the Lakers to do a Kuminga sign and trade. A sign and trade has to be 3 years. Now that these other doors are closing, the Timberwolves can close that deal and sign Kuminga,” Windhorst said.

The Timberwolves already have a talented starting lineup, and Kuminga could step in as their starting power forward. He would also have the opportunity to play alongside young stars Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.

This is not the update the Lakers wanted after feeling increasingly confident that they were in position to land Kuminga. Now, Minnesota appears to be ramping up its pursuit, potentially giving the Lakers another major obstacle to overcome in their lengthy pursuit of the former Warriors champion.

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