While the Los Angeles Lakers continue to actively pursue unrestricted free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga, league sources told ESPN on Tuesday, they've agreed to a one-year deal with veteran center Kevon Looney, who was Kuminga's teammate while with the Golden State Warriors.
The deal is worth $3.9 million, Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar told ESPN's Shams Charania. Looney projects to slot in at backup center after L.A. traded big man Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards last week. Looney spent 10 seasons with the Warriors, winning three championships. He played last season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers still hope to land Kuminga, who became a free agent when the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option on June 29. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick met with Kuminga virtually the next day and pitched him on a vision of being a high-minutes wing next to Luka Doncic in a spacious on-court environment conducive to Kuminga's skill set, league sources told ESPN.
The Lakers, however, then went out and used up the majority of their financial wiggle room to secure commitments from Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, leaving little leftover space for an offer to Kuminga. They have one free roster spot remaining following the Looney deal.