Jonathan Kuminga is one of the hottest trade targets heading into the NBA trade deadline. The Golden State Warriors star has been linked to teams like the Sacramento Kings, the Chicago Bulls, and now, even, the Los Angeles Lakers.
With February 5th fast approaching, insiders like Brett Siegel of Clutch Points are confident that Kuminga is a sure trade asset for the Warriors.
Tensions between the player and the team have only increased since they signed their most recent offseason deal. Even worse, Kuminga hasn’t played since December 18th, for no apparent reason.
Although the Kings remain first in line for the 23-year-old forward, NBA insider Jake Fischer asserted that the Lakers have kept a close eye on him since the offseason.
What are the chances the Lakers will land Kuminga?
Most analysts agree that Kuminga would be a very welcome addition to the Lakers’ wings. However, several factors have prevented the team from making a move.
One of the main obstacles, according to Siegel, is that the Lakers don’t have many first-round draft picks to offer in a potential trade.
They also don’t have many assets that would be attractive to other teams in a multi-team deal. To top it all off, there’s Kuminga’s massive two-year, $46.8 million contract.
According to Siegel, the most the Lakers can do at this point is move some expiring contracts to create some flexibility for the upcoming offseason.
Who will win the race for Kuminga?
It’s no secret that the young forward wants to leave the Warriors. The arrival of Jimmy Butler III further limited Kuminga’s already restricted role, and he’s been looking for a way out ever since.
The delay in the most recent negotiations between the player and the team is a sign of the growing tensions. That’s why most experts believe his departure before February 5th is all but sure.
However, whether that move will be to the Lakers is a different story. Unless the team can pull off a miracle, they may see the sixth-year forward slip through their fingers.
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