The Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes still have plenty of moving parts, and the Hawks may not be as boxed in as their roster count suggests.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Atlanta has not shut the door on bringing Kuminga back on a one-plus-one contract, even though the team already has 17 players on standard deals. That doesn’t make the path simple, but it does keep the possibility alive if the Hawks clear room elsewhere.
A few situations could open that lane. Buddy Hield is still being talked about as a trade candidate, Devin Carter’s outlook got murkier after Atlanta brought in Ryan Nembhard, and Mouhamed Gueye is expected to miss at least part of next season after foot surgery. If any of those pieces shift, the Hawks could find a way to hold onto Kuminga.
Cleveland remains in the mix, too, but not at the expense of its bigger priority. Scotto said the Cavaliers are still keeping tabs on Kuminga, though league sources told him the main focus is LeBron James. Hoops Wire has also reported that the Cavs are hesitant to make major roster moves until James decides where he’ll play next season.
If Cleveland does need to carve out more financial flexibility, Max Strus and Dennis Schroder are still names to watch. Scotto also noted that the Hornets have been connected to Schroder, and Charlotte president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson previously worked with the veteran guard in Atlanta.
For the Lakers, the challenge may come down to the shape of the offer. Scotto suggested Los Angeles could have better luck assembling a package around Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy instead of Jarred Vanderbilt. Atlanta has shown little appetite for Vanderbilt’s deal, which runs with guaranteed money through the 2027-28 season.
Knecht and Hardy present a cleaner path for a potential third team in a multi-team sign-and-trade. Their cap hits are smaller, and neither has guaranteed salary beyond 2026-27, which could make them more useful pieces if the talks ever get that far.
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The Cavaliers are still waiting on LeBron James decision before making bigger roster moves, which keeps the rest of the offseason in a holding pattern. Loves longstanding friendship with James only adds to the intrigue, especially if Cleveland decides it wants another proven voice in the locker room and a veteran option in the frontcourt. For now, it sits as a possibility rather than a plan, but it is the kind of move that could become a real debate once the bigger domino falls. [Read more 🡒]