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22 hours ago
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The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make a wing-related roster move before the end of summer, preferably for a young, high upside contributor.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha believes the franchise could succeed in doing so by trading Dalton Knecht and signing a former Golden State Warriors NBA champion.
“Honestly, they prefer to dump Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt) and Dalton which would get you even more,” Buha said Friday.
“It would keep you under, fully clear that cap space to use all your cap space for all the moves that they’re making and then also have enough to sign Rui (Hachimura) or (Jonathan Kuminga).”
“To relatively market-competitive contracts somewhere potentially in that $12-13 million AAV. I would assume it ends up being a 1-plus1, where Rui or Kuminga gets a player option.”
With the Stein Line’s Jake Fischer recently reporting that the Lakers aren’t prioritizing a Hachimura reunion in free agency, it’s safe to say Kuminga is target No. 1.
Kuminga, whose $24.3 team option was declined by the Atlanta Hawks, is far from the perfect floor spacing wing to pair with Luka Doncic.
The 24-year-old has only shot about 35% from three once in five seasons, which is a bit concerning given that he’s had plenty of time to show improvement in that area of his game.
That said, Kuminga would be a useful downhill attacker, transition attacker, and perimeter defender for a Lakers squad that could use more pop/athleticism.
If cutting ties with a struggling second-year contributor in Knecht is the best way to add Kuminga to the fold, it wouldn't be shocking to witness Rob Pelinka put the plan into motion.
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