While most fans focus on projected starting lineups and ponder whether their stars are good enough, teams have to think about everything from top to bottom.
That’s why the Lakers remain focused on finding the best players possible, even though their stars are in place and they’ve announced the signings of Quentin Grimes, Walker Kessler and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
They still have at least one position open, and signing the right player could raise their ceiling or limit how good they can be.
On Wednesday,
a report by Dave McMenamin on ESPN detailed where things stand in free agency and how important the final roster spots are to the Lakers.
A Lakers source told ESPN that the last spots “will be critical” for next season’s team.
The Lakers have had discussions with free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga, sources told ESPN, pitching opportunity over the veteran minimum salary they can offer.
Since the Lakers need wings on their roster, it’s no surprise they are considering adding Jonathan Kuminga. He is a player they’ve been linked to since the Hawks declined his team option.
The Lakers have remained in contact with Kuminga’s agent and even reportedly offered him a two-year, $20 million deal. However, that hasn’t been enough to entice him to join the purple and gold.
Atlanta is even reportedly open to getting involved via a sign-and-trade to get a deal done.
LA figuring out how to sweeten the deal for Kuminga will be a challenge given their salary cap situation, but that’s the task in front of Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka.
Whether Kuminga ultimately signs here or not, the Lakers have to be smart with how they use their remaining spots.
They need a quality wing player and perhaps some more frontcourt depth. They have reportedly signed Kevon Looney, but they lost two bigs this summer with a trade sending Deandre Ayton to the Wizards and Jaxson Hayes leaving for the Jazz.
So, perhaps another center can be signed as insurance for Kessler if the Lakers can move some end-of-the-rotation players.
It should encourage fans that the Lakers are doing everything they can to maximize every roster spot. To win it all, teams need top talent and depth. That doesn’t happen unless you sign a wide variety of players with upside in different areas.
Pelinka nailing these final additions won’t be viewed as blockbuster moves, but it could be the difference between the Lakers having backups they can trust or praying none of the top players get hurt because there is no one on the bench worth playing.
Lakers fans should be hoping for the former scenario.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
