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Lakers rumors: How LeBron’s free agency decision is holding up Jonathan Kuminga
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- Lakers rumors: How LeBron’s free agency decision is holding up Jonathan Kuminga
Lakers rumors: How LeBron's free agency decision is holding up Jonathan Kuminga appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Recently, the Los Angeles Lakers have been looking for ways to retool their roster following the news that LeBron James will be leaving in free agency. The Lakers have already made a flurry of moves, headlined by the trade for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler , but it remains to be seen if they've done enough to stay competitive in the Western Conference.
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One big area of need for the Lakers is length and athleticism on the wing, and a free agent still remaining who fits that bill is Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga . Recently, Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported on how Kuminga's lack of a signing so far could be influenced by the standstill caused by James' free agency, referencing the Minnesota Timberwolves ' pursuit of both James and Kuminga.
"So again, if you're Minnesota, would you rather have LeBron or Kuminga? You'd rather have LeBron, even if it's a short-term thing versus the long-term thing (…) Kuminga is kind of a victim right now of the LeBron sweepstakes and that is freezing things to a degree," said Buha, per his channel on YouTube, via Hoopshype.
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Indeed, while Kuminga may not like being viewed as a team's backup option, that could be the situation he finds himself in currently, at least for some organizations around the league. The Timberwolves have been viewed as a dark horse suitor for James in this free agency, although at this point, the frontrunners seem to be the Cleveland Cavaliers , where he has already spent two stints.
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Meanwhile, Kuminga would go a long way in providing the kind of length and athleticism that the Lakers need to put around Doncic in order to cover for his weaknesses on defense, as well as Austin Reaves ' shortcomings in that department.
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