The Los Angeles Lakers went through a summer of wholesale changes, and as forward Rui Hachimura was one of the players who went out, the team remains linked to Jonathan Kuminga as a potential replacement. Kuminga has been heavily mentioned in Lakers trade rumors, but despite any level of interest from both sides in a union, there’s no guarantee adding the controversial 23-year-old will be a good thing for either party.
When speaking about his time on the Lakers, Hachimura, now on the Los Angeles Clippers, discussed the limitations placed on his role on the roster, and if those critiques remain true, Kuminga could take that as a stern warning, and perhaps look for a move elsewhere to benefit his career long-term.
Kuminga is currently an unrestricted free agent, but the Lakers making a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks for his services feels like the most likely outcome to land him in Southern California, assuming all sides are keen on a move.
Rui Hachimura Makes Feelings Clear On Old Team, Could Be Warning For Replacements
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
After signing with the Clippers earlier in the summer, Hachimura spoke about his previous role on the Lakers and how he wasn’t able to do everything he wanted to on the court alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
“I’ve spoken with the Clippers coaching staff, and they want me to shoot my three-pointers, of course, but also do more cutting,” Hachimura said. “In my final year with the Lakers, I couldn’t really make those cuts due to our team’s [structure], so the [Clippers] told me they want me to do more of that, which makes me really happy. I also want to focus on rebounding. Grabbing the boards and pushing the pace like I used to back in the day is something I want to keep doing.”
As seen last season with the Lakers on the court alongside Doncic, James, and Reaves, Hachimura was relegated to a 3-and-D role. While he excelled in the playoffs in that position, specifically shooting the ball at a historic rate, the forward’s comments make it seem as though he wasn’t happy in that role.
If that remains the case for someone like Kuminga, whom the Lakers remain interested in to play at the power forward position, that could become an even greater issue.
Writing for LakeShowLife.com, Maxwell Ogden discussed how if Hachimura wasn’t happy sitting in the corner shooting three-pointers, it’s hard to see Kuminga enjoying that role, especially based on his current skillset.
“While Hachimura was able to adapt to a more limited role by focusing on his three-point shooting, Kuminga lacks that specific skill set or skill level,” he wrote. “As such, asking Kuminga to operate as a floor-spacer who corner crashes wouldn’t exactly be the most ideal use of his skill set. He’s more of a downhill finisher and a baseline lob threat who should be incorporated into pick-and-roll sets and given opportunities to get out in transition. Unfortunately, there’s something to be said for Hachimura excelling in similar areas and having limited opportunities to utilize those skills.”
Not having the rim-attacking James could mean a player like Kuminga could be put into a different role than Hachimura saw over the past few years, but even if that suits what he does best, there’s no guarantee the potential new addition will be asked to play a downhill style as often as he might like.
Where Do Lakers Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors Stand Now?
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter of the game at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Regardless of the validity or truth of Hachimura’s comments and potential impact on a player like Kuminga, he still isn’t on the Lakers roster, and as time goes on, Los Angeles isn’t closer to adding the 23-year-old forward.
Most recently, it’s been reported that Kuminga’s name remains atop Lakers trade rumors, but agreeing to either a sign-and-trade or just inking him to a new deal in Los Angeles hasn’t, and won’t, come easy.
Reporting for ESPN, Anthony Slater discussed how despite the Lakers’ interest, a deal for Kuminga has stalled.
“It has reached the second month of what has become a second consecutive prolonged Kuminga free agency process. The Lakers met with Kuminga in the early hours of free agency, pitching him on a high-minutes role for a high-profile fringe contender in desperate need of athletic help on the wing. The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn’t satisfy all sides,” he wrote. “The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks.”
Additionally, reports suggest the Lakers could face pressure from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers for Kuminga as the NBA offseason continues.
If Kuminga can somehow land in Los Angeles, using him as a downhill runner rather than a spot-up shooter would be in the best interest of both sides, especially after Hachimura’s warning shot after leaving the team this summer.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Lakers’ Jonathan Kuminga Trade Pursuit Faces Warning After Rui Hachimura’s Critique appeared first on HEAVY.