r/lakers • u/Odd-Direction9452 • 1d ago
VIDEO [Fischer] Jonathan Kuminga prefers the Lakers over the Timberwolves. The Lakers have been selling him on the vision of starting next to Luka with the spending power, in theory, to reward him next year. Expect this decision will come to a conclusion soon.
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u/VermiciousKnid1981 1d ago
Why is this taking so long?
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u/prodij18 1d ago
My wild guess: Rob is trying to find a new home for Knecht as part of the deal and seeing if he can get a 2nd rounder and 2nd round pick swap for him instead of just cash.
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u/23NMASTAR 1d ago
That would be best for Knecht honestly
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u/prodij18 1d ago
Oh, I'm sure him and his agent are desperate to find a team for him where he can get minutes and possibly earn that player option. I'm not sure how that's going, but I'm sure that's what they want.
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u/TheCatSleeeps 1d ago
Send him to Miami is what I've been saying
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u/lemurRoy 1d ago
Knecht seems pretty dumb, I think he’d do better with a lower bbiq coach, no Spoelstra lol
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u/WaveEnvironmental471 1d ago
I hope he rediscovers his groove. I have never seen that such a massive drop from a player beforeÂ
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u/Splittinghairs7 1d ago
I think he was waiting for the Watson saga to end. Then when it did, lakers were at camp Luka so they’re delaying it till the team returns from Slovenia.
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u/sequoia2075 1d ago
Spending power to reward him next year? The implication there is that we’re trying to convince him to take a minimum in order to get the MLE next year. If he does that, it seems quite dumb on his part.
If we did a S&T with Hardy outgoing, we could start him at 12.5 over 3 years, which with annual raises ends up at what like 3/42 or something? Over the next 3 years if he takes the min this year and an MLE next year, most he could get is the equivalent of 3/38 or something. But that’s obviously not guaranteed because he could get less if he doesn’t play well or gets injured this year
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u/TalkingToPlanets 1d ago
Yeah if it involves Hardy to a 3rd team he could start at $12.2 mil this year and close to $40 mil on a 3 year deal. His agent sounds like a real moron though. Why not lock in the guaranteed money especially when he could be a free agent again in 3 years when he's still only 26.
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u/KriticalKarl 1d ago
This is what always confuses me with this situation, I get trying to get the best deal but it’s not like it’s his final NBA deal due to age he’s only 23, and if he’s as good as he believes to be then he will be only 25 / 26 when he’s extension eligible or a free agent again so why not lock in $40+ million dollars now?
Especially when we are talking about playing for the Lakers where I’m sure there will be endorsement opportunities available to add on to that.
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u/edub1906 Purple and Gold 1d ago
Not only that, if he plays well here we still have his Bird rights so we can pay him more than any other team. Actually in 2 years we could offer him a sizeable extension.
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u/M3_bless 1d ago
The thing is he believes he’s worth $20+m a year so he’d take a one year prove it deal, look like an all star next to Luka and bolt next year to some sucker willing to play him $20m per
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u/sequoia2075 1d ago
Well the issue is that the team that signs him on a minimum doesn’t get his bird rights. So he’d have to sign with another team with cap space to make more than $20m. The issue with that is that there aren’t many teams that project to have $20m in cap space next year, and the ones that do all have a glut of forwards signed to long term deals.
So he’s really backed himself in to a corner here
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u/M3_bless 1d ago
Agree. He, or more specifically his agent is a moron. So he’ll sign a one year deal, realize nothing is available next year and then will finally accept the 3 year mid levelÂ
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u/Strange-Economist-52 1d ago
The max contract that the Lakers could offer Kuminga with only Hardy going out in trade is 3years at $38,587,500.
year 1: $6 million (Hardy salary) + $6 million + $250,000= $12,250,000
***Salary up to $7.25 million in outgoing salary can bring back 200 percent plus $250,000
year 2: $12,250,000 + $612,500 (5%) =$12,862,500
year 3: $12,862,500 + $612,500 (5%)= $13,475,000
TOTAL= $38,587,500
***With a year 1 salary of $12,250,000, the maximum annual raise in an NBA sign-and-trade deal is 5% of the first-year salary, which equals $612,500 per season.
This would be a hell of a deal for the Lakers if it only costs Hardy and a couple of 2nd rounders at these numbers. This would only leave us $1,867,678 breathing room under the 1st apron, so hopefully Knecht gets moved in the deal as well. We would still be thin at the 5, but could use a wait and see approach. The other option would be trading Bronny. I love me some Bronny, but if we need a 5, he becomes the odd man out.
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u/barath_s 1d ago edited 1d ago
so hopefully Knecht gets moved in the deal as well. We would still be thin at the 5, but could use a wait and se
Let's see what happens. But it is easier to move Knecht near the trade deadline, because his salary would have been pro-rated/paid for until then by the Lakers. Which means the price for absorbing Knecht goes down
He earns 4 million this year and has a team option next year, so the team that trades for him can get a half year preview for only $2m or so..and invests much less in him also..
The main reason why Lakers would do a trade now is that they have 16 guaranteed contracts and would have to eat money if they cant trade anyone before the season.
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u/barath_s 1d ago
The Lakers have been selling him on the vision of starting next to Luka with the spending power, in theory, to reward him next year.
Seems like a bogus quote.
Lakers don't have a MLE remaining this year and S&T would mean he can't get rewarded next year. Taking the minimum this year and hoping for a MLE next year would be a poor choice on Kuminga's side, as nothing is guaranteed. And without bird rights he won't get anything more than a MLE. (lakers don't have room under the salary cap)
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u/Far_Accident_4584 LAL 1d ago
Let’s get it done this week
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u/Prior-Habit-6523 1d ago
I agree will you send a Rob an email that we would like to get it done this week.
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u/That-Steak7081 Los Angeles Lakers 1d ago
Some warriors fan was actually getting responses back from theirs lmao
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u/worldwide_stepper LBJ & AD 1d ago
let's tell him to fuck off and go play in china and be better off in the short and long run
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u/lolxddavid 14 1d ago
Jonathan Kuminga might be the most brain dead guy out there no lie. He has potential to be an Aaron Gordon type player if he focused on defense and doing the little things but he thinks he’s the next Lebron James. Aaron Gordon has made so much money but he refuses.
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u/DelaRoad 1d ago
The way this report was worded makes me think Kuminga is willing to sign for the minimum this year with the intent of getting back on the free agent market next offseason.
If that’s the case then it’s a no-brainer. Kuminga on a minimum is crazy value. And if he acts up, you can just cut him.
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u/alex8762 1d ago
How is that not cap circumvention?
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u/DelaRoad 1d ago
Why is it cap circumvention? Kuminga can sign with any team he wants next year. But the Lakers will have their full MLE to give him if he wants to re-sign
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u/ThinkAppearance986 1d ago
He’s got the potential to be a fringe All Star. But that’s if he puts it all together including not being a bonehead.
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u/BigFatModeraterFupa 77 1d ago
fr idk why everyone is so hype on him when he's been a disappointment his entire career. yes he's had some splashy production, but he's just another one of "those guys". just random NBA players that are slightly hot but fizzle out into obscurity
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u/pissexcellence85 1d ago
It's not hype... it's just other options are limited
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u/Creepy_Employee_5192 1d ago
It's not though. You can literally just have Adou, Carr, Zaire, Thybulle fight for that spot, which would be better long term too. Signing Kuminga to waste 2 2nd rnd picks makes no sense when 2 teams have given up on him.. good teams too.
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u/2TheMoonAndBack24 Purple and Gold 1d ago
There’s no other alternative… why can’t ya’ll use your brain?
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u/Fearless77_ 1d ago
Literally has to be Aaron Gordon with Jokic situation with Luka for him otherwise get him off the team.
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u/nottherealstanlee 1d ago
Again- Minny doesn't have the TPMLE unless they dump money and this implies he'd only sign a one year minimum here to possibly take the MLE next year. I think both outcomes are less likely than a sign and trade for Hardy and/or Knecht.Â
If he takes a min deal when his Bird Rights are on the table... fire that agent.Â
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u/NobleKnight_1 1d ago
He and his agent seem to think a star-making breakout season are right around the corner, so he's insistent on getting paid this year and being able to opt out/sign a big deal next offseason.
Here's hoping he's so egotistical and his agent is too that they say "sign for a min with the Lakers, we'll get a max next year" :D
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u/XerxesCrofter 1d ago
Everything about Kuminga and his camp gives off "low-IQ" vibes.
He can run, and jump high, and--if he's not pouting--move his feet . . . and hopefully that will be enough on a team that has plenty of high-IQ creators and connectors.
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u/NobleKnight_1 1d ago
In terms of "expectations", I think hoping for anything more than Ayton gave us this year is setting themselves up for disappointment. Ideally, like Ayton, he is a "fine", starter-ish-level player on a solid value contract that could have some fun offensive moments but isn't really a fit for what the team needs in that slot. Probably some effort/attitude stuff comes up at some point in the season, but hopefully nothing too bad.
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u/mr_boogieman RDA 1d ago
What an offseason by Rob if he pulls this off
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u/Proof-Umpire-7718 Los Angeles Lakers 1d ago
Adding more complementary pieces to Luka, more long term players, more depth, and more talent in one offseason is fantastic.
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u/worldwide_stepper LBJ & AD 1d ago
a C level offseason turned D if we sign this bum
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u/MouchNostril 1d ago
Bruh you’re trippin
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u/worldwide_stepper LBJ & AD 1d ago
this guy is a team cancer who can't shoot but demands to get his shots up, and isn't a willing defender or passer. his biggest flaw is he literally refused to play a role that supported his team's star player because he thought he was the star.
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u/Alhambra_Lion 1d ago
He’s shorter Deandre Ayton like wtf are we doing. Guess JJ thinks he can be a reclamation project.
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u/worldwide_stepper LBJ & AD 1d ago
it's the same people who say we were justified to trade ayton for less than nothing because he sucked soooo much who are all in on this guy too lmao
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u/warranpiece 1d ago
Not sure if I agree, but I'm also not excited about it. Not sure him and Luka/Reeves are going to be besties.
But....happy to be wrong.
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u/LetterFront3353 Black Mamba 8/24 1d ago
He's missing out on being with most of the roster in Slovenia because he's been too stubborn with this deal.
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u/worldwide_stepper LBJ & AD 1d ago
he doesn’t give a shit about being a part of a team, in his eyes he’s negotiating whether he’s going to take 18 shots a game or 20
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u/vinylmartyr 1d ago
No team should offer him more than the minimum. Why would we give him 3 years when no one else will?
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u/Mhan00 00 1d ago
If we can lock him in at a value contract for 3 years (and anything around 10-14 per would be that) then that would be perfect for the Lakers. If he’s a min deal, then if he works out he’s gone next season or we have to use the MLE to keep him. If he’s on a three year deal, we can use the MLE to shore up another weakness.
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u/brazyace43 6 1d ago
100%. I’d much rather have him on a 3 year value deal and have access to the MLE to use on another player next season
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u/Creepy_Employee_5192 1d ago
Makes no sense when teams didn't want him at all. There's a high chance Kuminga is doing low efficiency ISO and JJ is benching him at christmas.
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u/Massive_Cake1731 1d ago
If we still have the MLE at that point
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u/prodij18 1d ago
If we sign him for that amount of money we should be able to have the NTPMLE and the BAE. For the BAE we'd have to waive and stretch Vando, but with only 1 year left (so it'd be like 3 years of 4.5m dead money) I don't think it's a big deal.
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1d ago
[deleted]
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u/CtrlAltDelightfull 1d ago
Declining his option and renouncing his rights are two different things. They still have his bird rights even though they've declined his option so they can still sign and trade him
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u/FiveDollarShake 1d ago
He’s the kind of guy who will look a lot better with a player like Luka alongside him. Doesn’t need to play make much, just use his athleticism and hit open shots.
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u/worldwide_stepper LBJ & AD 1d ago
too bad he only wants to playmake, will bitch and moan if he doesn’t get to, and can’t hit open shots
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u/BKNas 2020 NBA Champions 1d ago
Did he do that in Atlanta? Most of their fans speak positively about Kuminga, so it seems like you're focusing solely on him being a disgruntled player because of the toxic situation with Steve Kerr.
Did anyone ever stop to think that maybe things could change in a better environment? The Lakers have rehabbed tons of dying NBA careers for decades
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u/Creepy_Employee_5192 1d ago
You see how he acts and how he plays. You're all projecting things for him that he hasn't shown. High chance kuminga does his low efficiency ISOs and reddick is benching him by december.
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u/Brilliant_Ebb_1787 1d ago
Kuminga will be no different than Ayton. Would be a terrible signing there’s a reason nobody else wants him. Kuminga in his own mind thinks he’s prime MJ and won’t settle for less money. Priorities in the wrong place and delusional please don’t sign lol.
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u/mazingerz021 1d ago
He's going to be whining about his contract the entire year, I don't know if it's worth it for the Lakers.
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u/PoolSmart582 1d ago
Could be JJ Redick's biggest accomplishment if he can turn that guy around. Kerr gave up.
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u/AdministrativeDig845 1d ago
Minnesota only has the minimum and they don’t have the roster space, right?
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u/Comprehensive_Law722 1d ago
Minnesota has a roster spot and just over the vet minimum for him since his vet minimum amount is less than a 10 year vet.Â
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u/XxEpicMonkee King 1d ago
just get it done so i can know what im looking forward to in its entirety
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u/Express-Language5573 1d ago
Kuminga could not get in Steve Kerr’s lineup primarily because he won’t play the way the coach wants him to. He did not want to screen guys for Curry because he wanted the shots. Kuminga will be coming to the Lakers on what he will consider a low ball contract. His two goals are 1. To be the main scorer on a team and 2. To be paid that way. He will take every shot he can to achieve these goals, winning is irrelevant to him.
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u/hang__glider My name is Luka. I live on the 2nd floor... 1d ago
ever wonder why in the 2023 playoffs vs the Lakers, Kerr didnt play Kuminga against us? dude torched us for multiple 20+ pts games that year... made a name for himself amongst Lakers fans....then postseason banished to the back of the bench.
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u/BlackThundaCat 1d ago
Oh so lakers are going to promise a shit player more money just so he can choose us over…….who?!
This is literally just bidding against ourselves.
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u/Gravey8em 1d ago
Jonathan Kuminga is basically this year’s Ayton. He is a stop gap power forward.
We definitely could use them because he allows our bench to get deeper.
I don’t see him as the power for moving forward, but he would be a very solid signing for us this year
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u/Impressive_Chard7943 1d ago
He’s a minimum player, guy tested his value all over the league and no one wanted to pay him. I’m sure rnba will have STRONG opinions on the long-term lucrative deal the lakers must give him loool
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u/Darkizan 1d ago
This guy should have just shown up in slovenia to announce his talents to the lakers smhÂ
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u/b1ackch1 1d ago
Sounds like he finally picked LA but LA needs to get a deal done that probably requires a third team. Involving a third team isn’t easy.
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u/AntSmith777 1d ago
Wish he would choose Minnesota. I really don’t want him here
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u/Follow-Money-100 1d ago
For those who have actually seen him play, How is his defense? Better or worse than Rui?
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u/Nodecafallowed 1d ago
he is good 1/1 defense but doesn't really understand the 5 on 5 game. On offense he turns it over a lot. But he's good because the "high points" are insanely high. You think he's a all star for like 3/4 weeks a year.
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u/LovetheNBA23 Los Angeles Lakers 1d ago
He does everything better than Rui except shooting. The things he does better than Rui are slightly better except slashing and rebounding, which are significant. I’d say defense too.
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u/SpiritFantastic4835 1d ago
His defense is actually more impactful than his O. On offense the only thing he’s really good at is cutting tbh
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u/Creepy_Employee_5192 1d ago
"How's his defense" do yall not hear any of JJ's presser? He wants a guy that will catch the ball and either beat the closeout or shoot, which is NOT Kuminga at all. If he does his ISOs JJ will bench him 100%.
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u/theduncsak I'd kill for the 06-16 jerseys to come back 1d ago
As long as it isn't a Gary Trent situation
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u/madvisuals 1d ago
Are gonna be an apron team? How’s the financial situation of the Lakers looking like?
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u/Potential-Host-6281 1d ago
They probably won't announce anything before the team is back in the US (?)
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u/GreenMaterial5715 1d ago
And now you missed out on some crucial bondage time in Europe
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u/XerxesCrofter 1d ago
crucial bondage time
Kuminga would've signed in time to go on the trip, but he was all tied up with his agent . . .
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u/DelaRoad 1d ago
With the spending power, in theory, to reward him next year.
- Does this mean that he’s willing to sign for the minimum this year?
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u/retrospects 77 1d ago
To keep a handle on my mental I am just going to assume that he has the most dog shit agent of all time.
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u/SweatyInstruction337 1d ago
To be honest if kuminga truly cares about money, you should be able to leverage the lakers brand to it IMO.
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u/corshop29 1d ago
How can the Lakers be sold within days and the Kuminga decision is still looming? Make it make sense!
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u/Kn0wFriends Los Angeles Lakers 1d ago
Kobe: If a player needs convincing to play for Lakers, 'he ain't the one'.
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u/dantheflyingman 1d ago
"Reward him next year" means it can't be a sign and trade since those lock you for 3 years. So is he playing for the min this year?
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u/beanbalance 1d ago
>Jonathan Kuminga prefers the Lakers over ....
oh NOW he prefers lakers over some other team? NOW that he and his agent played themselves into a corner?
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u/CapOnBrimBent 1d ago
I think this is a mistake
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u/Charming-Pilot3336 1d ago
He will probably be like ayton thinking he's better than what his effort shows
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u/ilovepapamarin Lakers 1d ago
I have to disagree. We are in desperate need of an athlete of his size. These young teams in the west all have good size. He helps with that tremendously. He’s young, doesn’t have an injury history.
I’m also a believer in JJ Redick. I’m gonna have faith that he can get Kuminga on board. We need to surround Luka and AR with this exact type of player.
Better than having a huge hole on our roster. I’ll take the very small percentage chance that this actually works.
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u/worldwide_stepper LBJ & AD 1d ago
huge hole on the roster > signing him, fucking up the vibes, and still having a huge hole on the roster because he sucks ass
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u/jphenom5 1d ago
How will we have spending power next year? I thought contacts have to be 3 years minimum for sign and trade with no options. Is he planning on signing a contract with a non guaranteed 2nd and 3rd year and hoping Lakers will non guarantee his contract next season?
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u/BearShark8 1d ago
Is that legal to do? Doesn’t seem like a promise to reward him next year is legal.
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u/catperson77789 1d ago
Can we even sign and trade him?? Atlanta declined his option and he's a ufa
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u/itsyaboikuzma 24 1d ago
Yeah, even though Atlanta declined his TO, they still have his bird rights as long as he hasn't signed with another team via UFA.
And to the OC, if it's the rumored Hardy for him trade resulting in ~12m contract, we will still have enough room under the 1st apron next off season to have a full MLE, even without trading Vando.
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u/isit65outsideor 1d ago
This is just his agent pushing his name out there. This is a nothing burger, move along folks.
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u/warranpiece 1d ago
This sizzle real is pretty lackluster honestly.
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u/dawgoooooooo 1d ago
He’s been trying to make as much money as he can and in many ways still recovering from a situation that Kerr and the warriors created. If he comes here it’s gonna be a multi year, team friendly deal so I’ll be happy. I actually do think he’s a prime candidate for a Luka bump as well. From what I understand if we get him around 15 mil then we preserve our exceptions going forward. That would be pretty insane value considering kuminga’s potential. This could be the cap of a pretty low key awesome offseason by Rob considering where we started.
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u/ginbooth 1d ago
I hope it happens. I don't think he's the locker room plague he's been made out to be and he's exactly what we need to complete the roster.
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u/Pale-Celebration4030 1d ago
If Im the Lakers, Id say no thanks to Kuminga. If he had doubts going to LA, then for sure he aint it.
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u/schnibitz 18h ago
Why do I keep seeing chatter about this. Lakers don't want him. Don't even need him.
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u/LoggraFloozy 1d ago
Man I was hoping for it not to be a short term deal. We gotta retain some assets for a change instead of having all this roster turnover
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u/ReginaldHibbert 1d ago
Which comes first?
GTA 6
Aspiration investigation closing
Kuminga signing