Why Lakers must add Jonathan Kuminga after Rui Hachimuras departure
SAN FRANCISCO — As the holiday weekend came to a close and Monday arrived, the NBA reached a critical part of its calendar. Teams were able to start signing free agents to contracts and complete trades as of 9:01 a.m.PT, turning agreements from over the previous six days of free agency into official deals. But for the Lakers, critical holes in their roster remain evident. They’re in need of a backup center behind Walker Kessler after trading Deandre Ayton to the Wizards for Jaden Hardy and a pair of Washington’s second-round draft picks.
They need to add more proven talent and depth on the wings/forwards positions after losing five of their biggest players during free agency. The Lakers were already focused on the latter need over the last few days, with the hole on the wing becoming more glaring on Monday morning when Rui Hachimura agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers that’ll keep him in L.A.And now what should be the Lakers’ next step is clear: They must add Jonathan Kuminga to their roster to make this offseason roster reconstruction a definitive success. The Lakers’ offseason is already a success after nailing their two biggest priorities by re-signing Austin Reaves (four years, $185 million) and completing a sign and trade with the Jazz for Kessler (four years, $130 million), which locked in two franchise cornerstones on long-term deals alongside superstar guard Luka Doncic.The additions of Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), who should start, Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million) and Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million) are quality rotation additions who should add youth and versatility to the Lakers’ bench. But for the Lakers’ makeover to truly be complete, it needs Kuminga, who’s been a significant priority of the team’s free agency plans. At 6-foot-7, 225 pounds and 23 years old (turns 24 in October), Kuminga is just what the Lakers need from physical profile, youth and athleticism standpoint...