With the situation now coming to a head, there’s now sufficient evidence that Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors need to split up rather than make-up. He’s racking up a steady string of healthy DNP-CDs, primarily because Warriors head coach Steve Kerr doesn’t view him as a fit for his scheme or their roster. It doesn’t matter that star players like Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green or even Warriors owner Joe Lacob believe in him. Kerr’s direct and indirect influence will keep Kuminga plastered to the bench until some team is willing to pry him off.

Over the past few months, a handful of teams have consistently connected to Kuminga in trade talks, including the Sacramento Kings, the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. This week, the Dallas Mavericks were also mentioned as a possible suitor, though their interest appeared to be contingent upon an Anthony Davis trade. That being said, a new dark horse candidate has now shuffled out of the shadows: the Los Angeles Lakers.

Would Jonathan Kuminga Be Right Trade Pickup For Lakers?

There are no fewer than five NBA insiders that have drawn connections between Kuminga and the Lakers.

On Jan. 12, The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer writes:

“The purple-and-gold’s known preference at this deadline is to acquire a true 3-and-D wing with size if possible to provide some point-of-attack resistance on the perimeter as well as some shooting, but it must be said the Lakers, according to sources, did call Golden State about Kuminga during the sides’ summer standoff in restricted free agency… the Lakers have likewise continued to monitor Kuminga’s situation while casting a wide net to try to find help on a very limited wing market.”

On Jan. 15, the day that Kuminga made an official trade request, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson reports:

“League sources told NBC Sports Bay Area then that the Lakers were a team monitoring Kuminga’s situation and the possibility of him taking the qualifying offer where he’d be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026.

Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka is a fan of Kuminga’s, sources say, and likes the idea of him as an athletic wing on a Luka Dončić-led team. The Warriors have been aware of the Lakers’ likeness for Kuminga, though it’s unclear how likely an in-season move between the two teams is.”

That same day, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reveals:

“League and team sources confirmed a report that the Lakers have some interest in Kuminga, though it remains unclear if talks will unfold. The Warriors, the sources said, are aware of the intrigue and waiting to see how that situation evolves.”

Citing Fischer and Amick, Kevin O’Connor appeared on The Kevin O’Connor Show later on to address the rumors:

And so, the Lakers are definitely looking for a wing. I think they definitely have interest on Herb Jones. Probably too pricey. Trey Murphy, Jonathan Kuminga; maybe the Warriors, maybe as a third team. Maybe we’re gonna see a situation, Tom (Haberstroh), where Kuminga gets sent to the Lakers for filler plus a pick and then the Warriors send that pick plus other assets to go get a [Michael Porter Jr.] or a Trey Murphy or something like that. But that’s my understanding right now with what the Lakers are angling to do with their with their future picks and with the guys on the existing roster.

On Jan. 16, DallasHoopsJournal.com‘s Grant Afseth relays the following information:

“However, DallasHoopsJournal.com has been informed by league sources to monitor the Los Angeles Lakers for Kuminga. That’s a team that wants to get more athletic on the wing as they build around Luka Dončić, but needs to be cautious of the price point. Kuminga would represent a chance to acquire a talent they are intrigued by without a hefty long-term commitment.”

They usually say that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. In this case, the smoke is billowing out of Los Angeles in gigantic Kuminga-sized clouds. That said, it’s very likely that the Lakers truly do have interest in a Kuminga trade. If so, it’s definitely worth exploring how he would fit with their current core.

Breaking Down The Potential Trade

The Lakers would like to trade Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent for a wing, according to O’Connor. They’re also willing to move their 2032 first-round pick, either in a separate deal or as part of a Vanderbilt-Vincent package.

Why The Warriors Make The Trade

If the Warriors were to accept that package, the primary motivation would likely be a mix of the draft compensation and to end the contentious Kuminga-Kerr standoff. However, both Vincent and Vanderbilt could move the needle for Golden State.

In Vincent, the Warriors would have a player that mirrored Gary Payton II; a mature, defensive-minded guard who’s limited offensively. Yet, though Vincent is far from a consistent jump shooter, he’s been much more efficient than Payton from 3 this season (25.0% for Payton, 36.5% for Vincent). In Vanderbilt, they’d have another player bent towards defense, but one whose skillset was more in line with Kevon Looney (who now plays for the New Orleans Pelicans). Like Looney, Vanderbilt’s strengths are his ability to guard multiple positions and his rebounding.

These changes may not be enough to make them favorites to win the 2025-26 NBA Championship. Nevertheless, those incremental on-court improvements combined with a more relaxed locker room atmosphere could have tangible results in the win-loss column.

Why The Lakers Make The Trade

For the Lakers, swapping Vincent and Vanderbilt for Kuminga is a no-brainer. In a vacuum, he’s more talented than either player, particularly offensively. With that in mind, L.A.’s bench scoring is the worst in the NBA, by far, averaging 24.9 points per game. As an athletic and assertive big-bodied forward who averages 16.2 points per game when playing 20+ minutes, there’s no doubt that he can help them there. Furthermore, he’s constantly shown that he can make a positive impact at that defensive end.

If it became necessary to swing the trade, the Lakers may be hesitant to include the 2032 first-round pick. Honestly though, that year is so far away that it’s difficult to determine its true value.

In any case, similar to Golden State’s situation, completing this trade doesn’t mean they’ll be lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy come June. Nevertheless, Kuminga can make a legitimate difference in their quest to win the 18th championship in franchise history.