Lakers Eye Kuminga for Final Roster Spot

Following a significant roster overhaul during the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers are now looking to fill their final spot with a player they believe is crucial to their championship aspirations. Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as a prime target, while DeMar DeRozan appears to be out of the team's plans.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Los Angeles franchise views this last roster spot as more than just a filler. "There's one roster spot left. They view this last spot as a very important piece to their potential puzzle," McMenamin stated on "NBA Today."

The Lakers' strategy involves enticing players with the promise of visibility and career opportunities. "They're trying to sell the opportunity. 'You come here, you play on the biggest stage in basketball, and you might have to take a pay cut for a year or two, but you can go back to making big money,'" the journalist added.

In this context, Jonathan Kuminga has become a priority target. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, speaking on the "Clutch Scoops" podcast, the signing could be finalized during the Summer League, which runs from July 9th to 19th in Las Vegas. Siegel believes that despite financial differences, Kuminga will ultimately join the Lakers.

"I think that's a deal we'll see get done during Summer League," Siegel remarked, detailing the contractual situation. "I believe it's a 2-year, $20 million deal. Kuminga and his representatives obviously want more money. [...] The Lakers believe in him, but at $10 million, they feel he's a player who should at least be making the full mid-level exception."

To make the deal happen, the Lakers might need to make decisions regarding other players. "We'll see what the Lakers do with Jarred Vanderbilt. That's a contract they can waive and stretch, or a contract they can try to trade," Siegel explained, concluding: "I don't think the Lakers are done yet. I see them getting Jonathan Kuminga and getting that deal done. He's a player who would fit well in an offense led by Luka Doncic."

Conversely, DeMar DeRozan, recently waived and frequently linked with a return to Los Angeles, does not appear to be an option for the Lakers. Siegel was clear in dismissing this possibility, as well as any interest from the Clippers.

"We can say for sure, right now, that the Clippers are not in the running for DeMar DeRozan," he affirmed. "And the Los Angeles Lakers are also not a team that's in the running for DeMar DeRozan. He doesn't fit the agenda of what they're trying to build around Luka Doncic."