NBARumors
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heavy.com ↗· 24 Aug 2026
Trade rumor · GSW / LAL
Developing
Jonathan Kuminga

Lakers have a fallback if Kuminga talks die

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints said on his Clutch Scoops Show that the Clippers are willing to trade Derrick Jones Jr. as they look to shed salary before training camp, with the forward entering the last year of a three-year, $30 million deal at roughly $10 million.

The Lakers are floated as a landing spot if their pursuit of a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade stays stalled.

One proposed deal from Basketnews would send Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero and a 2031 Wizards second-rounder to the Clippers; another swaps in Jarred Vanderbilt.

Kuminga GSW → LAL
Jonathan Kuminga

Related updates

Heavy ↗· 17 Sept 2026
Free agency · GSW / MIN
Debunked
Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga denies Lakers ever made him a competing offer

Jonathan Kuminga texted Lonzo Ball podcast co-host Darren Moore to dispute reports he turned down more money from Los Angeles. Kuminga said no such offer was ever on the table before he signed with Minnesota. The denial contradicts earlier rumors that the Lakers offered him more than the Timberwolves did.

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Sportando ↗· 1 Sept 2026
Contract signing · GSW / MIN
Done deal
Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga says Lakers' spotlight pushed him toward Minnesota

Jonathan Kuminga told The Athletic he passed on the Lakers because of the outside noise surrounding the team, wanting an environment that kept him focused on basketball and his growth. He said Minnesota offered a better defensive fit and a clearer role, calling it the better overall situation for him.

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