Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton, LeBron James, Willie McGee and Romeo Travis at the premiere of "Shooting Stars" held on May 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images) | Variety via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the teams vying for LeBron James’s services in free agency. There hasn’t been much news out of James’s camp or teams like the Cavs to really get a feel for how things are going. That vacuum has left those of us on the outside looking for clues as to whether a second reunion in Cleveland is likely.
One of those clues, which has an innocent enough explanation, came out on Monday. LeBron’s former teammate at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Romeo Travis, is one of the guest coaches the Cavs have brought on to help with Summer League training camp.
There were a couple of former Zips at #Cavs Summer League practice today.
Cleveland's own Shammah Scott invited to Summer League Training Camp workouts this week, while Akron's own Romeo Travis was helping the coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/a10s6i4ixS
Having a guest coach isn’t unique. Many teams, including the Cavs, do this for things like Summer League training camp. The timing of this, with James as a free agent, will understandably cause a stir, even though it likely doesn’t mean much.
There are plenty of Akron and St. Vincent-St. Mary’s connections on the Cavs which include assistant general manager Brandon Weems and Malaki Branham, who is on the Summer League roster. Travis also fits the profile of someone who would typically help out in a situation like this. He’s a former professional player with ties to both the team and the area. There’s nothing completely out of the ordinary with this.
Travis played collegiately at the University of Akron after graduating from St. Vincent-St. Mary. He played there from 2003-07, and still ranks sixth in all-time Zips scoring. He then played professionally overseas from ‘07 through ‘21.
This isn’t Travis’s first experience with the Cavs in Summer League, as he was on their summer roster in ‘07 and ‘08.
The Cavs will start Summer League play this Friday. They’ll take on the Indiana Pacers at 4:30 PM in Las Vegas. That will be the first of five guaranteed games they’ll play.
The Marlins were in Sacramento facing the Athletics on Sunday, and Perez recorded seven perfect innings on 92 pitches. He retired all 21 batters he faced before being pulled to begin the eighth inning.
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez (39) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A’s fans chanted “Shame!” at the team as they came in to remove Perez.
His replacement, Lake Bachar, gave up a leadoff walk in the eighth and a single to end the perfect game and no-hitter almost instantly. Bachar would give up five earned runs on four hits before Michael Petersen came in to try and stop the bleeding.
For the ninth, Pete Fairbanks got the ball. He gave up three runs of his own, and the Marlins nearly blew the 9-0 lead they had held all afternoon.
Eury Pérez threw 7 perfect innings (92 pitches) at the A's today.
He was replaced by Lake Bachar to begin the 8th, and the A's got a leadoff walk to end the perfect game, followed by a single to end the no-hitter.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 5, 2026
Perez, who was making only his third start since returning from the injured list, was a mere six outs away from securing the first perfect game in franchise history.
“There was a part of my heartstrings pulling at his opportunity to keep on going, but I have to think about Eury and our organization, our team and what’s best moving forward to give us a chance to continue winning games,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said postgame.
“Going into this game, 90-plus was the pitch count, but…us looking to play beyond the regular season, Eury’s going to be an important part of that. He had it really going today,” McCullough continued.
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez (39) hands the ball to manager Clayton McCullough (86) after being pulled as catcher Joe Mack (80) looks on in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The possibility of seeing the Marlins in October doesn’t seem that far-fetched these days. They’ve won nine of 12 overall, including the weekend sweep of the Athletics. They are in a statistical tie for the final wild-card spot. All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez, who homered in Sunday’s thriller, was named the NL Player of the Week.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Mikel Brown Jr. poses for a photo during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Laura June Kirsch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After waiting two games, Nets fans will finally get to see Mikel Brown Jr. in action — one day after the Nets steamrolled the Bucks. There hasn’t been much word about why he’s been out, but any concern is justified given his history with back injuries. One would have to assume that the front office is being particularly cautious with him. They’re playing their third straight game in three days, then they’ll head over to Las Vegas for more.
In the meantime, enjoy the MBJ era!
🏀 Key Info
Matchup: Golden State vs. Brooklyn
Time (ET): 8:00 PM
Broadcast / Streaming Platform: Gotham Sports App, Prime, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, ESPN+
For the California Classic, the Warriors have two teams, so there would be an equal number of squads playing in the first edition of the Summer League. Those teams include “Warriors Gold” and “Warriors Blue.”Today, the Nets will face their blue team.Warriors Blue are 0-2 throughout their first two games, losing 91-85 to the Sacramento Kings and 97-83 to the Milwaukee Bucks, whom the Nets beat, 89-69 yesterday without Brown, Jefferson, Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, Tyler Bilodeau, and Chaney Johnson
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Which, for the Dodgers, comes with one big question:
Go after two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal? Or largely stand pat with a roster containing virtually no glaring needs?
Trade deadline season is here. For the Dodgers, that means deciding whether they want to pursue two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Trade deadline season is here. For the Dodgers, that means deciding whether they want to pursue two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.Getty Images
That’s the decision California Post baseball writers Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris are discussing on the latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast, as they look ahead to the team’s deadline plans with less than a month to go until the Aug. 3 occasion.
Dylan makes the case the Dodgers don’t have any holes, and don’t need to mortgage their future on a pitcher who –– for all his talent –– is also a pending free agent who could be gone next year. Jack wonders if the team needs to hedge against potential pitching injuries over the second half of the season, and whether that’s worth dealing from a farm system that will be important for the club to count on to provide talent in the coming years.
Elsewhere, the two recount an emotional day at Dodger Stadium, as rookie catcher Eliezer Alfonzo made his MLB debut on the same day he learned his sister and stepmom had been found dead in the rubble of the recent Venezuelan earthquakes.
They also recap other talking points from another Dodgers series win over the Padres.
Later, they take reader comments, including one on the differences between “reasons” and “excuses” for Roki Sasaki’s recent struggles.
And, as always, they finish with some trivia and predictions –– plus throw in a little World Cup talk at the end.
All that and more on the latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast. Subscribe on YouTube or follow along on Apple and Spotify.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 12: Koby Brea #14 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns continue to secure their own free agents to new deals. Koby Brea is next, according to ESPN NBA’s Insider Shams Charania, who reports that the guard is signing a two-way contract to return to Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns G/F Koby Brea is signing a two-way NBA contract to return to the team, his agent Erika Ruiz of Primera Sports tells ESPN. The restricted free agent appeared in 12 games as a rookie last season.
In college, he was known for his shooting prowess at Kentucky and Davidson. Playing in 12 regular-season games after being selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, Brea’s return is not a surprise, considering the frequency with which restricted free agents return to their teams and his listing on the team’s Summer League roster, alongside Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and newly drafted Koa Peat.
Brea’s best game of his young and inexperienced career came in the final game of the team’s regular season against the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he knocked down six threes and scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field in 29 minutes. Outside of the context, he played more than 10 minutes just once. For the season, he averaged 3.8 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists on 41.7% shooting from the field, 43.3% from three and 100% at the charity stripe (he took just two free throws all year).
Brea spent the majority of the season with the Suns’ G League affiliate, the Valley Suns. He averaged 33.4 minutes, scoring 15.0 points on 37/43/80 splits in Tempe, adding 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
On a two-way deal, Brea can play up to 50 regular-season games, but is not eligible for postseason play. For him to play in the playoffs, they would need to convert his contract into a standard deal and waive a player like the team did for Jamaree Bouyea last season. Phoenix has used all of its standard roster spots to this point, as the team rosters 15 guaranteed deals.
With the team signing Luke Kennard to a multi-year deal to replace Grayson Allen, Brea’s role projects to be similar to the one he played last year as a reserve, getting minutes sparingly or when games are clearly decided. He joins newly signed Pat Spencer as the team’s only player on a two-way, but news about CJ Huntley returning to the team is likely to come soon, with him also being on the Summer League roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers made a major splash when they acquired center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz earlier this month.
However, that trade wasn’t even the biggest thing to happen in Kessler’s live this week. He got engaged to Abbie Stockard (who was Miss America 2025) during Fourth of July weekend, which Stockard then shared to her Instagram profile, with a photo of the couple showing off her engagement ring with the caption, “The future Kessler’s. Let’s get y’all married!!!”
Walker Kessler and his fiancée, Abbie Stockard, celebrating their engagement. Abbie Stockard’s July 6 Instagram story post upon arriving in Los Angeles.
It didn’t take Kessler and Stockard long to arrive in Los Angeles. This was shown by a post that Abbie made to her Instagram on July 6, which showed a photo of multiple purple and gold balloons, including one gold “L” and another gold “A” next to it.
The post was captioned, “touched down in LA ”.
Walker Kessler smiles while walking down the court during a Utah Jazz game. Getty ImagesAbbie Stockard poses after winning Miss America 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
It’s unclear whether Kessler and Stockard bought these balloons themselves or whether they were presented them by the Lakers or by someone upon their arrival. What’s for sure is that Kessler has enough money to buy them himself, given that he signed a four-year, $130 million deal upon joining the Lakers.
Los Angeles will need Kessler (who averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game with the Jazz last season) to produce in his first season, especially given that LeBron James won’t be returning to the franchise and Rui Hachimura is headed to the cross-town Clippers in free agency, which was announced on Monday.
But that’s the last thing on Stockard and Kessler’s mind right now, given everything positive that has happened in their life lately.
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 21: Owen Murphy of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Vincent Mizzoni/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The series finale between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets is about to start shortly and as usual, Walt Weiss spoke with the media ahead of the game and gave his thoughts on various hot
On Owen Murphy
“Good for him [earning a call-up],” began Weiss when talking about Owen Murphy. “He’s going to protect us out of the ‘pen. We’ve been running with a seven-man ‘pen for a while so at some point that’s going to run its course — and it probably has. [Murphy] will protect us with the ability to go long. He’s on schedule with his starts and he’s got a full tank of gas.” I went on to ask Weiss about whether or not this could potentially lead to an opportunity to start at some point but Weiss made it pretty clear that for this stint in the majors, Owen Murphy will be sticking to his role of being a bulk guy.
On the state of the farm system
Walt Weiss was then asked about how important it’s been to have a conveyor belt of talent being able to come up and make contributions to the team so far this season. “It’s important, critical, even,” stated Weiss. “We’re not like the other markets who go out and make a big splash in the free agency, so I think we do a really nice job of doing a little bit of everything. You gotta rely on your system and scouting and development and I think they’ve done a nice job when it comes to player development.”
“We’ve come a long way in a couple years prospect-wise,” continued Weiss. “A couple of years ago, we were talking about our system being dried up and now all of a sudden, there’s quite a few prospects.”
On Austin Riley’s attempts to get back on track
Austin Riley is coming into the final game of this series against the Mets with three hits and three RBI over the past couple of games. We’ve been here before in terms of Riley looking good for a brief spell before going back to struggling but Weiss is still backing his third baseman to eventualy get it going for real at the plate.
“He’s certainly putting in the work,” stated Weiss when it came to what he’s seen from Austin Riley behind the scenes lately. I’ve talked about how there’s a tipping point where it goes from physical to mental at times and I’m not sure that’s the case with Austin but speaking from experience…he’s putting in the work and he’s got a really good track record so it makes you believe that it’s going to work out.“
“We’ve got some recent examples with Ozzie and Harris last year. He really struggled in the first half of last season and then he finished strong and carried it into this year,” continued Weiss. “It’s nice to have a recent example that gives you hope and I’m sure it gives Austin hope that he can turn this thing around and end up having a really good second half and a really good season.”
For the first time in eight seasons, James won’t be wearing a Los Angeles Lakers uniform and everyone wants to know where he’ll go next.
LeBron James is the top free agent of the summer after informing the Lakers he would be leaving the franchise after eight seasons. Getty Images
Soon after James informed the Lakers he wouldn’t return for the 2026-27 season, the Golden State Warriors emerged as a contender to sign the four-time NBA champion.
James has spent time with Steph Curry and head coach Steve Kerr during their gold medal run at the Paris Olympics. Moreover, Draymond Green declined his $27.6 million player option with Golden State to become a free agent.
Green’s decision appeared to be in favor of the Warriors, giving the team more cap space to sign James. The 36-year-old said that it was a team-friendly decision on his podcast.
Yahoo Sports podcaster and writer Kevin O’Connor wonders whether Green was actually motivated to become a free agent in order to join James on another team.
LeBron James has reportedly not be in communication with any NBA team as his looming free agency decision greatly impacts the league. Getty Images
“This is just pure speculation on my part, but I think it’s worth wondering if Draymond Green could follow LeBron wherever he goes.
“I feel like a lot of people point to him opting out purely about Golden State having flexibility to sign LeBron, give him more money, also bring back Draymond at a discounted deal. And that might be all it is.
Draymond Green declined his player option with the Warriors, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. NBAE via Getty Images
“But, Klay already left. Who’s to say Draymond wouldn’t leave either. He knows this business. He has talked openly how he understands in this league anyone can be traded…. I feel like there’s a possibility Draymond could decide to go wherever LeBron goes. A lot of the teams on that list for LeBron could use a Draymond Green.
“He just adds so much to any contending team. I think if the Warriors don’t get LeBron, there’s no path to anymore rings these next couple years,” O’Connor said.
“I think it’s worth wondering if Draymond Green could follow LeBron wherever he goes.” @KevinOConnor speculates about what could happen with Draymond during free agency.
While O’Connor is simply wondering whether Green’s decision to become a free agent could have other motives, the Warriors are no longer considered a favorite in the James sweepstakes.
Originally, there was speculation the Warriors could trade for Anthony Davis in order to land James, but that rumor has since been shut down.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Mikel Brown Jr. speaks to the media after he is drafted sixth overall by the Brooklyn Nets during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After going 1-1 through their first two games in Sacramento, the Brooklyn Nets will close out their California Classic three-game slate tonight, squaring off against the Golden State Warriors.
And unlike yesterday, this is going to be a noteworthy game for fans to tune in to, as Miklel Brown Jr., Brooklyn’s No. 6 overall pick and their highest pick since they left New Jersey, will be making his Summer League debut. He’s also likely to be paired with what many Nets fans hope will be the organization’s back court of the future.
Joshua Jefferson, the Nets’ other first-round pick from June’s draft cannot yet play since the trade bringing his pick in the 2026 Draft has yet to be finalized. Erik Slater was first with the news fans have been waiting for since the Draft nearly two weeks ago.
Mikel Brown Jr. will make his Nets Summer League debut today vs. the Warriors, a league source tells @ClutchPoints.
While at first it was believed that the game could only be found on the Gotham Sports App, tonight’s matchup, just like Brooklyn’s first two clashes, is also available on NBA TV, ESPN+, NBA League Pass and Prime.
The game
For the California Classic, the Warriors have two teams, so there would be an equal number of squads playing in the first edition of the Summer League. Those teams include “Warriors Gold” and “Warriors Blue.”
Today, the Nets will face their blue team.
Warriors Blue are 0-2 throughout their first two games, losing 91-85 to the Sacramento Kings and 97-83 to the Milwaukee Bucks, whom the Nets beat, 89-69 yesterday without Brown, Jefferson, Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, Tyler Bilodeau, and Chaney Johnson.
Despite that, though, all of those players will be active today with the exception of Jefferson and Wolf who still has some back soreness.
The Nets will not be facing Golden State’s 2026 first-round selection, Yaxel Lendeborg. He is on their gold squad. However, they are expected to go against the organization’s second-round pick, 6’7” wing Lajae Jones out of Florida State.
Without the Nets’ two-ways and seven first-round draft picks over the past couple of years, there was a perfect opportunity for Exhibit 10 players and Summer League invitees to earn premium minutes and showcase their skill sets.
The Nets have at least three players on E10’s, Ben Humrichous, Duke Brennan and Dion Brown, each stood out in different areas on Sunday. The signings have not been officially announced. Exhibit 10 contracts are essentially camp invites.
Humrichous was electric from beyond the arc, knocking down 5 of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc (41.7%) while drilling three in the first quarter alone. He ultimately finished the night with 15 points, two steals, an assist, and eight rebounds.
Brennan, 6’10”, collected a double-double, finishing the game with 10 points, 12 rebounds (including five offensive boards), a block, and a steal.
As for Brown, the 6’3” guard collected three steals, six rebounds, eight assists, and nine points on 44.4% shooting from the field.
All three will likely spend training camp and the preseason with Brooklyn before heading to Long Island for the G League season. However, strong Summer League performances throughout their eight remaining games could keep the door open.
The Nets still have one two-way remaining, and although there have been some reporting that Grant Nelson will get it. The 7-footer played for Brooklyn last year before coming down with a foot injury from which he is still recovering. However, nothing has been announced unlike the two-way deals signed by Johnson and Bilodeau.
Their fit will be worth watching today, especially with Brown Jr. in the fold and more of Brooklyn’s regular Summer League rotation also in action.
At this time of year, wins and losses frankly don’t matter. It’s more about development and how Brooklyn’s young pieces continue to grow, making it intriguing to see which players rise and fall while others sustain their level of play.
Jun 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park.
Zack Wheeler’s absence from the 2026 MLB All-Star Game isn’t sitting well with some folks.
After Wheeler wasn’t named to the National League’s All-Star roster for the Midsummer Classic at Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Bank Park despite an impressive comeback from thoracic outlet syndrome, his agent B.B. Abbott ripped the snub.
Jul 1, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Major League baseball knows (about Wheeler’s injury recovery),” he added. “Everybody knows what he’s been through. And to not do what you needed to do to let this guy be honored in his home ballpark, it’s ludicrous.”
Wheeler’s Cy Young-caliber 2025 season ended abruptly in August after the discovery of a blood clot near his right shoulder.
Following thoracic outlet surgery in September, Wheeler missed the first few weeks of 2026 before returning April 25. He’s been just as dominant as he was before the injury.
Across 13 starts this season, the 36-year-old has gone 8-1 with a 2.36 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He also has 84 strikeouts in 80 innings.
Jun 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Wheeler has also held hitters to a .580 OPS this season, ranking fourth in the NL behind All-Stars Jacob Misiorowski, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
But it still wasn’t enough for an All-Star bid, as Wheeler wasn’t one of the five NL starting pitchers on the players’ ballot.
“They’re going to think that I’m grandstanding and on a soapbox,” Abbott said. “Quite frankly, I don’t care because it’s the right thing to do on this particular player. To be able to come back from something that not a lot of players can come back from – and certainly can’t return to the level of excellence that he has – it shows a real lack of acknowledgement by Major League Baseball to what he’s done up to this point.”
Although Wheeler didn’t make the cut, the Phillies still have five All-Stars in Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Christopher Sánchez and Jhoan Durán.
Along with Wheeler, they’ve all been instrumental in turning around the Phillies’ season after a 9-19 start to a 50-41 mark — good for second in the NL East — entering Monday’s slate.
SAN FRANCISCO — As the holiday weekend came to a close and Monday arrived, the NBA reached a critical part of its calendar.
Teams were able to start signing free agents to contracts and complete trades as of 9:01 a.m. PT, turning agreements from over the previous six days of free agency into official deals.
But for the Lakers, critical holes in their roster remain evident.
And now what should be the Lakers’ next step is clear: They must add Jonathan Kuminga to their roster to make this offseason roster reconstruction a definitive success.
Despite his lack of three-point shooting, Kumimga would be an ideal complement on the wing alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. AP
But for the Lakers’ makeover to truly be complete, it needs Kuminga, who’s been a significant priority of the team’s free agency plans.
At 6-foot-7, 225 pounds and 23 years old (turns 24 in October), Kuminga is just what the Lakers need from physical profile, youth and athleticism standpoints around Doncic and Reaves.
Kuminga was in the rotation for the Warriors’ 2021-22 championship team and took on a more significant role by his third season, averaging a career-high 16.1 points (52.9% shooting) to go with 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 2023-24.
Still just 23, the potential for Kuminga to flourish is high if he can find himself in the right situation. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He has regular season averages of 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds for his career, averaging at least 12 points per game in every season since 2023.
Kuminga is far from a perfect fit for the Lakers.
He’s a career 33.2% 3-point shooter on low volume (2.4 attempts per game). He’s been inefficient when it comes to creating his own shot and off-ball chances since entering the league.
But among the realistic choices in free agency, he’s the only one who would be a credible starter for the Lakers entering the 2026-27.
Kuminga would add defensive versatility becasue he can credibly guard 1-4 thanks to his athleticism, quickness and length. Throughout his career, he’s been tasked with guarding a top offensive option, which the defensively-depleted Lakers would need from him.
He wouldn’t provide the Lakers with the shooting and spacing they benfitted from with Hachimura, who shot 41.5% on 3s during his 3 ½ seasons with the Lakers, including 44.3% (league’s fifth-best mark) in 2025-26.
But Kuminga is a better rebounder, finisher, perimeter defender and help defender than Hachimura.
And at 4 ½ years younger and two fewer seasons of NBA experience, Kuminga has more room to grow and potential to fufill compared to Hachimura. Kuminga’s shown growth as a passer over the last few years.
Kuminga, who reportedly also has interest from the Bucks, Cavaliers and Hawks (re-signing or sign-and-trade) isn’t the Lakers’ only option to address the need on the wings who’d fit the team.
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.
Bruce Brown, Matisse Thybulle and Ochai Agbaji are other unrestricted free agents still available.
But none of them have Kuminga’s talent. Or upsides. Or fill multiple needs like he does.
”. 
