Jonathan Kuminga’s offseason has taken another hit, and the list of clean landing spots may be getting shorter by the day.
Jake Fischer reported on a Bleacher Report live stream that the Cleveland Cavaliers may be stepping away from a sign-and-trade pursuit of Kuminga as they shift their focus toward working out a contract extension with James Harden. Fischer said, “I haven’t heard anything really moving along with Kuminga of late,” and added, “I still think the Lakers could be a fit for him. Cleveland could be a situation for him, but Cleveland is, I think, prioritizing a Peyton Watson effort compared to Jonathan Kuminga right now.”
That matters because Cleveland had been one of the names most often tied to Kuminga all offseason, right alongside the Los Angeles Lakers. If the Cavaliers really do pull back, that removes one of the more believable destinations from a market that already looks pretty thin.
It also changes the leverage in Atlanta’s favor. Fischer’s update suggested Harden’s camp is growing impatient in extension talks, which gives Cleveland another pressing matter to handle before it goes chasing Kuminga. If the Cavaliers decide Harden is the bigger priority, then a sign-and-trade with Atlanta moves down the list fast.
For the Hawks, that could mean even less pressure to take a deal they don’t like. Atlanta has shown no rush to settle for a weak return, and every team that steps out of the race makes that stance stronger.
The Lakers remain the most visible outside option, but the reporting around those talks has not pointed to real momentum. Atlanta and Los Angeles have reportedly gone nowhere meaningful more than once, and interest from the Lakers only goes so far if they cannot put together a package that President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh values.
Minnesota has also entered the picture recently, but there has been little sign the Timberwolves are close to building a sign-and-trade framework that would get Atlanta to move.
None of that closes the door completely. NBA business can turn in a hurry, and one new offer can change the temperature of a stalled market almost overnight.
Still, if the outside options keep drying up, a return to Atlanta starts to look harder to dismiss. The Hawks have maintained interest in bringing Kuminga back, and they hold his Bird rights, which gives them more room than other teams to shape a contract.
That said, Atlanta has not exactly stood still this offseason. The Hawks have continued reshaping the roster, including adding Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, and there are still other decisions left to sort out before training camp arrives.
Kuminga would also be walking back into a situation he already knows. He’s familiar with Quin Snyder’s system, he became a useful piece after landing in Atlanta, and the roster still looks like one that can make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
A reunion could even serve a practical purpose for both sides. Another season together would give Kuminga a chance to build more value before revisiting his future later, instead of forcing a sign-and-trade that doesn’t bring Atlanta enough back.
There’s still time for the market to shift. Cleveland could stay involved, the Lakers could improve their offer, Minnesota could get more aggressive, or another team could jump in before camp opens.
But right now, the direction is not helping Kuminga. If Cleveland backs off, Los Angeles stays stuck and Minnesota doesn’t move with urgency, the number of realistic destinations keeps shrinking.
That doesn’t mean Atlanta is inevitable. It just means it may become the most sensible answer if the rest of the market keeps going quiet.
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