Lakers land center Looney; in pursuit of Kuminga, sources say - ESPN

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 his former teammate on Golden State, veteran center Kevon Looney.

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 Wizards last week. Looney spent 10 seasons with the Warriors, winning three championships. He spent last season with New Orleans.

The Lakers still hope to land Kuminga as well, 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 his 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.

That didn't stop the Lakers' pursuit of Kuminga, as multiple members of the organization, including players, reached out and expressed their desire for him to join them. Pelinka has remained in touch with Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, subtly improving their offer in recent days, league sources told ESPN, while reiterating to Kuminga his importance to what the Lakers are building around Doncic, a likely starting role and what the opportunity could do for his