The Lakers’ failed pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, who is signing a two-year deal with the Timberwolves, has left them with a hole in the frontcourt. 

And with their payroll $8.1 million from the NBA’s $209 million first-apron threshold, they’re hard-capped for the 2026-27 season. With their roster already having 16 players signed to guaranteed contracts, the Lakers’ options for other roster additions are limited. 

But they still have clear needs with a month before training camp kicks off. 

The most glaring hole in their roster is a starting-caliber, athletic two-way wing/forward — an archetype Kuminga would’ve filled.

But another area of need is big man depth behind marquee free-agent acquisition Walker Kessler and three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney, who signed a veteran’s minimum contract.

How could the Lakers address those needs?

Big man trade targets 

The Lakers’ tradable draft picks are limited: They own their own 2033 second-round draft pick; they possess a pair of second-round picks from the Wizards in 2031 and 2032 after swapping Deandre Ayton for Jaden Hardy; and the lone first-round pick they’re able to outright swap in a trade is in 2032. 

Outside of that, their other trade assets are mostly players who could be on expiring contracts if their team options for 2027-28 are declined (such as Hardy and Dalton Knecht). 

These limitations, in addition to a big man market that has a high demand but low supply of quality options, are why the Lakers don’t have many trade options for big man depth. 

But if they decided to go that route, two potential targets would be Bucks center Jericho Sims and Bulls big man Jalen Smith.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Sims fits the athletic, rim-running big man that’s an ideal fit next to superstar guard Luka Doncic. He’s a strong finisher and rebounder, especially on the offensive glass.

And with Sims, 27, slated to be the third big man behind Myles Turner and Kel’el Ware in Milwaukee, the Bucks may be willing to trade Sims and his expiring $2.8 million salary to another team.  

The 6-8 Smith, who’s coming off a career year in Chicago (10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds) would provide the outside shooting Sims lacks. And despite being undersized for a traditional center, he’s capable of playing at the 4 and 5, which would open up versatile offensive lineups for the Lakers.  

Big man free-agent targets 

After the Heat picked up Nick Richards on a veteran’s minimum contract on Thursday, the list of free- agent big men became even shorter and more bleak. 

The most significant option for the Lakers could be Dwight Powell, the 6-10, 35-year-old big man who was teammates with Doncic for 6 ½ seasons in Dallas.

Notably, Powell has played the most games as a teammate alongside Doncic (389) among the 98 players Doncic has played alongside in his eight-year NBA career. 

Besides Powell, the other realistic options are veteran journeymen Drew Eubanks, Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee — demonstrating the lack of quality big man free-agent targets.

Wing trade targets 

Trade options for a wing/forward who can step in as a reliable rotation player — let alone a starter — without jeopardizing the Lakers’ potential access to the mid-level exception next summer is limited.

Kings forward De’Andre Hunter and Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma, who was with the Lakers from 2017-21 and won the 2020 championship with the franchise, stand out as the best trade options. 

Hunter ($24.9 million) and Kuzma ($20.5 million) are entering the final season of their respective four-year, $90 million deals.

Trading for either would likely require the Lakers to send a combination of Hardy, Knecht or Jarred Vanderbilt, in addition to draft picks. 

The Lakers previously had interest in trading for Hunter ahead of the deadline in February before the Cavaliers sent him to the Kings as part of a three-team deal with the Bulls.

There isn’t any known current interest in Hunter or Kuzma from the Lakers’ side, but they would likely be their best external backup options this summer with Kuminga no longer available.