As underwhelming an option as he may have been, the Lakers’ chase for Jonathan Kuminga felt like a necessary one given the hole in their starting lineup.
His decision to spurn purple and gold for the Wolves, then, leaves that hole in the starting lineup unfilled. With about a month until training camp opens, the clock is ticking if the team is going to make a move.
Taking that into mind, who are some players LA could target for that starting lineup spot now that Kuminga is off the table? Here’s a look
at five options.
P.J. Washington
Off the bat, we’re starting with a player the Lakers have repeatedly said they have no interest in, if that gives you a sense of how dry the market is.
After LA’s free agency spending spree, many viewed P.J. Washington as a solution to the hole in the starting lineup. Multiple reports, though, made it clear the Lakers had no interest in Washington because of his contract.
Whether that was a negotiating stance or an earnest feeling, the situation has changed, so could they revisit things with Dallas?
De’Andre Hunter
On the topic of players who have previously been linked to the Lakers, Hunter was a hot name around the trade deadline. LA discussed a trade for Hunter involving Dalton Knecht before the Kings went full Kings and traded for him.
Now, Sacramento is set for another year of irrelevance and Hunter is an expiring contract. He’s still a flawed player who doesn’t solve all of the Lakers’ issues, but no one at this point in the offseason would.
As a one-year rental, LA could do worse. The Kings are also one of the few teams with fewer than 15 players, making a 2-for-1 trade possible.
Saddiq Bey
The options fall off pretty quickly, which is how we get to someone like Saddiq Bey. He’s a perfectly serviceable player, but he also won’t solve too many problems.
Like most of the roster, his game weighs more towards offense than defense. He averaged 17.7 points per game last season with the Pelicans and shot 36.7% from range.
New Orleans also just signed Bennedict Mathurin to an offer sheet. Along with Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Jeremiah Fears, the Pelicans have lots of guards and wings they’re likely more invested in.
The selling point here could be a bigger trade as the Lakers have also been linked to Yves Missi in the past as well as Karlo Matkovic. It’s a bit optimistic, but the Lakers solving multiple issues with one trade is enticing.
Ben Simmons
Now we’re getting into the wild card options. This one is very unlikely for multiple reasons, but he is the most attainable option so far.
But this feels more like a last-resort move. Simmons looked a shell of himself two seasons ago and he spent last year fishing and not playing basketball.
Giving him a training camp invite and a chance to show himself might be in the cards. However, it’s not a move that would inspire much confidence or belief.
Adou Thiero
Before you jump out of your seats at the idea of Adou Thiero starting, consider this more of an investment in the future. The most likely scenario is that the Lakers make do with who they have on the roster.
Whether that means Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Ziaire Williams or someone else starts, investing in the future should be a focus for this team. Even if they acquire someone via trade, Thiero and Cameron Carr are young players who deserve chances.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
