Lakers backup plan if they fail to acquire Jonathan Kuminga includes former top-10 NBA Draft pick

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The Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga is proving to have a lot of obstacles, which is why a backup might be in place.

The Lakers are trying to add the final piece of their offseason puzzle with a starting-caliber wing to complement the reshuffled roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

It seems 24-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga is their prized target, but the difficulties in acquiring him have led the franchise to keep a backup in case their pursuit fails.

Lakers eye 24-year-old wing who played in the East last season

According to The California Post, the Lakers are keeping a close eye on 24-year-old forward Ziaire Williams, who became an unrestricted free agent after leaving the Brooklyn Nets.

“Ziaire Williams, who’s coming off a career-year with the Nets, is a player the Lakers eyed after the Nets declined Williams’ $6.3 million team option to make him an unrestricted free agent.”

Williams averaged 10.2 points and 1.4 steals last season for the Nets. He was drafted No. 10 in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies but has yet to justify his high selection over his young career.

With his market value established at less than $6 million, this could be an interesting buy-low piece for the Lakers with a high return, as Ziaire is still developing and is coming off the best year of his career.

He might not be a starter, but he’d fit nicely into a frontcourt rotation with Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and Adou Thiero.

Lakers struggling to match Jonathan Kuminga’s price

The Lakers are asset-bare after the acquisition of Walker Kessler and the signings of Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton.

Kuminga is a 23-year-old with potential who is reportedly eyeing a contract with a $25 million AAV (average annual value), with the Lakers only being able to offer a two-year, $20 million deal so far, according to The Stein Line.

The Lakers can’t match his contract price and are also struggling to match the Atlanta Hawks’ price for a sign-and-trade, as the Hawks don’t want to be saddled with Vanderbilt’s outgoing $12.3 million contract.

Unless the Lakers can find a third team to accept Vanderbilt while only using their sole remaining draft asset (2032 first-round pick swap), it seems the Kuminga pursuit will be over for them.