LeBron James grabbed the headline this offseason with his decision to pick up player options on his contract with the LA Lakers.
It was reported that teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers would be interested in adding LeBron James to the team.
The Golden State Warriors also enquired after James chose a player’s option. They also tried to trade at the trade deadline, but it didn’t work.
Their new interest must be something that La Lakers cannot reject, as they don’t want to trade James’ quality players without gaining quality assets.
One player to join the James trade package is young Warriors star Jonathan Cuminga.
Kuminga has been talking with warriors over the summer to solve the challenges of his limited, free agency that is likely to be dragged into the 2025-26 campaign.
The franchise offered him a two-year, $45 million deal, but he refused to add a player option in his final year.
He is hoped to move out of the team, but the Warriors have not found anything good for him.
However, if players like James are available, there’s no doubt that they’ll involve Kuminga in their trade packages.
However, Lakers reporter Jovan Buha doesn’t think it’s the right step for the team.
He said: “I like Jonathan Cuminga, but maybe I’m a bit surprised by some reports. Of course, in these types of situations, both sides get a little muddy and get an agenda and take their perspective, but some of his things look at themselves like the biggest choice.”
Reports say Kuminga sees himself as a first-level talent, but it is not guaranteed that he will be able to play that role with the Lakers.
“There are a few things about Kuminga’s view of himself as a certain level. There are some subtle lines of self-confidence and delusion, like what comes out of Kuminga camp and what he wants is more trending on the delusional side,” Buha added.
The Lakers already have a roster with multiple ball dominant players. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to be two players leading the franchise if James departs.
Both need the ball and if Kuminga happens to move to the Lakers he won’t be able to attack.
Buha believes he brings in players who have already shown they can take action.
“In theory, it’s replacing LeBron with Kuminga like that, and of course it’s long-term and it’s interesting to see the extra pay flexibility and what that means,” Buha added.
“But you don’t think it makes much sense to consider the contract he wants, to take potentially, to consider that he wants to have a role in the first place, to have a certain touch, and that it doesn’t make much sense.”
While Kuminga is definitely a talented player, the Lakers need more than that when they trade players like James, who averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists at the age of 40.
If the Warriors are serious about James and want to win the championship, they will likely return with an offer when he becomes a free agent.
James will be a year older by then, but his talent and stuff like Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green can help the Warriors become a source of strength again.