The Los Angeles Lakers have clearly made Jonathan Kuminga their top remaining offseason target. But one Lakers insider believes that the front office might be overlooking a player who would actually be a better fit for a team that is trying to win now.
During a recent episode of the Buha’s Block podcast, Lakers insider Jovan Buha said that the organization’s reluctance to aggressively pursue Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington could be a problem, especially when the Mavericks are willing to offload veterans in order to restart their rebuild.
“Where I will criticize this is the potential of not going all-in for a guy like PJ Washington. I would do that in a heartbeat. And that, to me, would be a more all-in move that I would criticize them for not doing or not viewing as the right final piece.”
“I just disagree with that. We talked about it on Lakers Collective the other day with Pete. That, to me, is a no-brainer if you can land a PJ Washington.”
Buha’s comments come at a time when the Lakers are continuing to work toward a sign-and-trade deal for Jonathan Kuminga, a deal that has reportedly stalled due to the contract demands of the 23-year-old forward. According to multiple reports, the Lakers and Atlanta Hawks already have a framework in place involving Jarred Vanderbilt and draft picks.
But Kuminga reportedly wants a larger salary than the Lakers might be willing to offer, and NBA sign-and-trade rules also require him to sign a contract for at least three years.
Despite these issues, the Lakers are keen on adding the former No. 7 overall pick, and it’s easy to understand why.
Jonathan Kuminga is only 23 years old, has great athleticism and still has tremendous potential. Jonathan Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point range last season, playing for the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks.
But his best season came in 2023-24, when he averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, shooting 52.9% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range, which shows why the Lakers want him.
The Lakers think he can be an immediate starter alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, and they believe he can be a foundational piece for the post-LeBron James era.
But Buha believes the safer move is actually P.J. Washington.
Unlike Kuminga, P.J. Washington has already shown that he can shine on a playoff team. Last season, he averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, shooting 45.0% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range.
The versatile 6-foot-7 forward has become one of the better two-way players in the NBA, as he is capable of guarding multiple positions while also spacing the floor effectively.
He also has an added advantage.
P.J. Washington knows how to play next to Luka Doncic. The two had a great relationship during their time in Dallas, and P.J. Washington’s fit makes him an ideal complement next to Luka Doncic’s ball-dominant style. That familiarity would also shorten any adjustment period in Los Angeles.
So why haven’t the Lakers pushed harder for him?
The biggest obstacle has to be P.J. Washington’s contract. The veteran forward is starting his four-year, $88.7 million contract extension that will pay him nearly $20 million next season, with that figure increasing gradually through the 2029-30 season. Multiple reports have indicated that the Lakers view the deal as expensive, especially for a player they see as a high-end role player.
On the other hand, Kuminga definitely offers more upside. If he finally develops into the player that people around the league have hoped for, the Lakers could secure a star entering his prime.
That’s the gamble. And that’s why the Lakers appear willing to take it.
But there is one argument to be made: Championship windows don’t have time for patience.
The Lakers have already reshaped their roster around Luka and Austin Reaves, adding nine new players. But what they still need is a proven starting-caliber forward, and P.J. Washington checks every box. He’s battle-tested, very defensively versatile, already has experience playing next to Doncic, and is under contract for four more years.
But the downside is obviously the financial flexibility for the future. That’s the dilemma facing Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office.
So, do they continue betting on Kuminga’s potential, or do they change direction toward a more established P.J. Washington?
For Buha, the answer is simple. If the Lakers truly believe they are in win-now mode, with Doncic about to enter his prime, passing on P.J. Washington shouldn’t be an option.
Whether the Lakers agree with him will ultimately depend on whether the Kuminga trade can finally reach the finish line. If it doesn’t, the Lakers might have to revert to a more expensive but more proven option.
