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Lakers Eye Kuminga as LeBron Exit Frees $50M

7/2/2026

46 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting forward Jonathan Kuminga after gaining about $50 million in cap flexibility following LeBron James’s exit.
The Atlanta Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The Celtics are the leading landing spot, able to sign him with their $5.5 million biannual exception, while the Milwaukee Bucks could acquire him using the Heat trade’s $25.5 million exception.

History

Historical Context

LeBron James became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 2010 and, after his televised Decision, signed a six-year deal with the Miami Heat, prompting the Lakers to adjust their payroll to fit under the 2010-11 salary cap of $58.044 million. That cap-clearing now lets the Lakers target forward Jonathan Kuminga with their renewed flexibility.

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Story summary

The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting forward Jonathan Kuminga after gaining about $50 million in cap flexibility following LeBron James’s exit.
The Atlanta Hawks declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The Celtics are the leading landing spot, able to sign him with their $5.5 million biannual exception, while the Milwaukee Bucks could acquire him using the Heat trade’s $25.5 million exception.

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