The Cavaliers are still hunting for a long-term answer on the wing, and Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as the name to watch.
Cleveland was among the teams that chased LeBron James in free agency, but he ended up signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. That left the Cavaliers back in the market for help at a spot they have been trying to solve.
Kuminga has been on their radar for a while, though his asking price has made the process tricky. “Jonathan Kuminga is demanding a salary in free agency exceeding $20 million annually, per The Athletic.
Kuminga prefers a sign-and-trade from the Hawks over leaving outright, simply due to the added financial implications. The Cavaliers and Lakers are the finalists for Kuminga,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Cleveland has already taken a real step toward trying to make it happen. “The Cavaliers will meet with Jonathan Kuminga about working towards finalizing a potential sign-and-trade agreement soon, per Chris Fedor.
Cleveland is a main finalist for Kuminga's services alongside the Lakers. Kuminga continues to seek a deal exceeding $20 million annually," Sidery wrote.
That pursuit has put the Cavaliers in position to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers, and SI’s Davion Moore believes Cleveland will win out.
“Kuminga is one of the bigger names left in free agency, and during this time, two teams have come up. The Cavaliers are interested, and the Los Angeles Lakers are still in the running.
Kuminga last played for the Atlanta Hawks, and they acquired him in a deal with the Golden State Warriors. Golden State received Kristaps Porziņģis, and Atlanta received Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
Kuminga could help the Cavs, and at 23 years old, he still has room to grow. Cleveland is a good fit, and if the franchise can pull off a sign-and-trade, the Cavaliers will have a new wing,” Moore wrote.
For now, Cleveland seems to have the upper hand because it can put together a stronger sign-and-trade package than Los Angeles. But that edge is not locked in. If the Lakers push their offer higher, the balance could shift.
Atlanta’s crowded roster has also made the talks more complicated for both teams.
In the end, Kuminga’s contract demands remain the biggest hurdle. If Cleveland can work through that and re-sign James Harden, Kuminga would land in a spot where he could play alongside one of the league’s best playmakers.
In Other News...
Warriors Trade Proposal Forces A Stunning Steph Curry Reality
A speculative four-team NBA trade idea has put Steph Curry at the center of a sweeping roster reset, one that would try to give Golden State a younger foundation while acknowledging how hard it is to meaningfully upgrade around a franchise icon. The proposal is built around moving Curry and Clint Capela out in a massive reshuffle, with the Warriors positioned to change the look of the roster rather than simply patch holes around the edges.
The appeal, at least on paper, is obvious: Golden State would be chasing a new timeline and a deeper stash of draft capital, while also adding established talent and younger pieces in the same breath. Still, Currys contract situation hangs over any such discussion, because his deal is nearing its end and an extension could push the financial stakes even higher, leaving the Warriors with a familiar question and no easy answer about how far they can go to keep contending. [Read more 🡒]
What Really Happened In That Viral Warriors Draft Room Moment
The viral draft-room clip from the 2026 NBA Draft had Warriors fans reading a lot into a few tense moments, but the real story was more straightforward: Golden State was weighing its options before making the No. 11 pick. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and owner Joe Lacob were discussing potential trade scenarios with the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder while the clock ticked down, all with a clear goal in mind as they tried to navigate the board.
Golden State had hoped Brayden Burries would still be available at No. 11, only to watch Milwaukee take him at No. 10 and force a pivot. The Warriors briefly considered moving back, but Dunleavy and Lacob were aligned on staying put and taking Yaxel Lendeborg, turning a moment that looked dramatic on TV into a snapshot of a front office trying to balance flexibility, value and the reality of how quickly the draft can change. [Read more 🡒]