Legend demands Jonathan Kuminga signs with Lakers

While teams have been making their pitch to persuade Hall of Fame forward LeBron James, Mychal Thompson, a legend of his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, is making his for Jonathan Kuminga. The Lakers inked free agent center Walker Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal. It’s been a busy summer for the Lakers. After re-signing Austin Reaves to a multi-year deal, they added depth with signing veterans Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney, Quentin Grimes, and Ziaire Williams.

Still, Mychal Thompson wants them to make one more signing, potentially inking Kuminga to a new deal to complete the roster, he said, per USA Today’s Robert Marvi.

“I wish I had Jonathan Kuminga’s phone number… He needs to sign with the Lakers,” Thompson said. “Talk about a great opportunity for him. He’d come in as a starter… Play on a high-profile team like the Lakers. Everybody around the league is gonna see you. He could run the floor. He can go out and get alley-oop dunks from Luka Doncic. This will set him up for his future if he ends up signing. I don’t know what’s taken him so long.”

Amid contract negotiations, Lakers’ Reaves made a $5 million adjustment to help his team sign other free agents. Los Angeles has spent the past two weeks revamping the roster via free agency following James’ exit from the team, which he announced at the beginning of the offseason.

The Lakers have one open roster spot for the 2026-27 season. Thompson believes signing Jonathan Kuminga would be an ideal fit.