The Cavaliers’ offseason has already taken a hit on the wing, and now Cleveland is reportedly looking at a bigger swing to patch the problem.
As first reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Cavs have interest in Jonathan Kuminga in a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks, the team Kuminga last played for. It’s an eye-catching name for a roster that suddenly has a major gap after losing both Keon Ellis and Dean Wade.
Ellis was expected to leave, but Wade was the tougher blow. Heading into July 1, he looked more and more like a player Cleveland was going to price itself out of, and now both wings are gone from the roster. That leaves Koby Altman searching for answers, and fast.
The financial piece is where things get tricky. Cleveland is currently $27.7 million under the first apron, which is enough room to keep the idea alive for now.
But the Cavaliers still haven’t signed James Harden, and he is expected to take up a big chunk of that space. If Cleveland wants to make a Kuminga sign-and-trade work, it would likely need to move Denis Schroeder and or Max Strus to stay under the first apron once the deal is completed.
Kuminga makes sense as a talent bet. Kenny Atkinson’s time with Golden State may be part of what makes this reunion appealing, and that suggests Cleveland sees more upside here than immediate certainty.
The fit is obvious on paper. The Cavaliers need an athletic wing, and they don’t have many options in that 6’5” to 6’8” range. Kuminga brings slashing ability and real physical tools, even if he still hasn’t fully turned the corner from his 2021 lottery-pick status.
Still, this is more of a swing than a solution. Kuminga looks like Cleveland’s LeBron James backup option if the King decides to go elsewhere. He doesn’t exactly reset expectations for the Cavaliers, and he might not fully replace what Dean Wade gave them on the wing.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting .463/.333/.724.
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