23-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga spurned the Los Angeles Lakers for a deal that’s raising eyebrows.
News broke on Wednesday that Kuminga signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This came after months of Kuminga being linked to the Lakers. And Lakers fans will surely feel frustrated with the news after learning what appears to be a bizarre bargain price.
Shortly after Kuminga’s free agency decision was known, Shams Charania reported the Lakers’ sign-and-trade offer would have been in excess of three years for at least $12 million per year.
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas articulated how many Lakers fans must be feeling right now with a social media post on Wednesday afternoon.
“Bro, you just signed a podcast deal. All this is crazy—how does your get contracts keep getting worse? You was just balling in Atlanta! You did all this waiting, we over here fighting for you, for you to sign a Costco member’s deal? Two years, $13 [million]?” Arenas said.
“Lakers, we got 15 people on our contract making more than this. If we know you was selling a** this low, one of them 1980 contracts, 10 years, $10 million, you would’ve been signed a long time ago! Who is your agent?” he continued.
Kuminga averaged 12.3 points per game with the Atlanta Hawks after he was traded from the Golden State Warriors in February.
Kuminga has been extremely consistent since entering the league in 2021, which is why this team-friendly contract is confusing for many basketball fans.
The Lakers’ front office is also likely scratching their heads right now, knowing they potentially could have landed Kuminga at this cheap deal.
