Lakers might sign former villain as Jonathan Kuminga alternative

The Los Angeles Lakers have been very aggressive in their roster overhaul, but they're far from done.

They're now reportedly trying to sign former Golden State Warriors first-round pick Jonathan Kuminga.

However, despite his lack of accomplishments, the former lottery pick is looking for a bigger paycheck than the Lakers might be willing/able to offer. 

Considering that, Khobi Price of the California Post revealed some alternatives for the Lakers' radar, including one that raised some eyebrows.

The Lakers could make a run at Bruce Brown instead of Jonathan Kuminga

"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," wrote Price. "Bruce Brown, Matisse Thybulle and Ochai Agbaji are other unrestricted free agents still available."

This isn't the first time they've been linked to Bruce Brown, but he's far from a fan favorite in Los Angeles.

Brown and the Lakers got into each other's faces multiple times in the playoffs, especially in 2023 when he was the X-factor in a Game 2 Lakers loss:

“They started talking. They got me going. So I was happy they started talking,” Brown said back in the day.

That said, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are no longer on the team, and while Brown isn't the same do-it-all sixth man he was back then, he's still a stat-sheet stuffer who can guard multiple positions.

Kuminga is a gamble. He's got the potential, but hasn't shown many signs of development, and he's burned some bridges with teammates and front offices.

Brown may not have the same upside, but he'll definitely be cheaper and with a better attitude to contribute to a championship-caliber team.