The Lakers are in on Jonathan Kuminga but they haven't landed him. That's the beat on a Tuesday evening in July, and the gap between pursuit and commitment is exactly where the betting market lives right now.
ESPN reported tonight that Los Angeles continues to chase the unrestricted free agent wing, but sources made clear the Lakers have not put forward an offer enticing enough to get Kuminga to commit. That qualifier matters. This isn't a deal waiting on a physical or a press release. The Lakers are still negotiating, which means Kuminga is still listening to other teams and the price is still moving.
What Kuminga Adds and Why the Lakers Need It
Kuminga is 23 years old and one of the more physically imposing wings available in this free agency class. The Lakers' need at that position is real. Their roster construction heading into 2026-27 has leaned heavily on continuity, and adding a developmental upside wing with Kuminga's defensive versatility and athleticism would improve their ceiling in a conference that still runs through the teams with the most switchable, long defenders.
On the futures board, the Lakers' championship odds are sensitive to this kind of move. A Kuminga addition doesn't turn them into the favorite overnight, but it tightens the gap between their current roster and the teams bookmakers already respect more. Without him, they remain a team with a ceiling question mark at wing. That uncertainty is priced in until the deal closes.
The Market Context Around the Lakers Right Now
The related news from today sharpens the picture. Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million max extension with Cleveland, which means the Cavaliers are locked in at the top of the East with their best player committed through the end of the decade. The Knicks won the Finals with Jalen Brunson, who had wrist surgery today but is expected back for basketball activities later this summer, so New York's core is also intact.
That sets the table for why Los Angeles needs to close. The teams they're chasing in futures markets are not standing still. Every day Kuminga remains uncommitted is a day the Lakers' offseason looks more like maintenance than an upgrade.
| Team | Offseason Move | Futures Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Mitchell 4yr/$273M max extension | Core locked, odds should firm |
| New York Knicks | Brunson wrist surgery, expected back this summer | Minor short-term noise, no long-term hit |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Kuminga pursuit ongoing, no deal yet | Odds held back until closure |
What Would Move the Number
The confirmed signing is the trigger. If the Lakers close Kuminga at a number that leaves them cap flexibility, the futures line should shorten. If Kuminga signs elsewhere, Los Angeles will need another answer at wing and the board reflects that void.
The size of the contract matters too. A deal that strains the Lakers' flexibility limits what they can do in-season. A shorter or team-friendly number means they keep options open. Right now we don't have those terms because there are no terms yet.
I'm watching for any reporting that names a figure or a timeline. The moment a specific offer gets leaked, that tells me where the negotiation stands and whether Los Angeles is serious enough to overpay or whether Kuminga shops it further. That's the data point that moves my read on their futures position.
