The Lakers and Cavaliers are circling the same offseason names, and both situations may be close to breaking.
Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson have emerged as the two players at the center of the latest buzz, with Los Angeles and Cleveland both tied to the next move. Kuminga, the former Golden State Warriors champion, has been on the Lakers’ radar all summer, and the Cavaliers have stayed in the mix as well.
SI’s Jackson Caudell pointed to Los Angeles and Cleveland as the most likely outcomes for Kuminga, with a sign-and-trade the expected path.
“The Lakers and Cavaliers still seem like the most likely landing spots for Kuminga, likely by way of sign-and-trade. The Wolves could be a darkhorse if he wants to take a pay cut, as I don't believe Minnesota will want to acquire him via sign-and-trade, and they are the closest of these teams to getting to the NBA Finals," SI's Jackson Caudell wrote.
But Cleveland may not be focused on Kuminga first. Sam Vecenie of The Game Theory Podcast suggested the Cavaliers could be waiting on Peyton Watson before turning more seriously to Kuminga.
“I also wonder if he's kind of in the Peyton Watson limbo at the moment where Peyton Watson is higher in the hierarchy than he is. And these teams like Cleveland and Milwaukee are trying to figure out: 'Hey, do we want Peyton Watson or not?' And they're waiting to see if they get Peyton Watson, and if not, maybe Cleveland goes for Jonathan Kuminga in a sign-and-trade of sorts,” Sam Vecenie of The Game Theory Podcast said.
Evan Sidery also reported that both players could soon have new homes, with Cleveland especially involved in Watson’s market and the Lakers keeping Kuminga as their top wing target.
“Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga are the next big NBA free agent dominoes set to fall soon. Both remain involved with the Cavaliers, more notably Watson, while the Lakers have prioritized Kuminga as their preferred starting wing,” Sidery wrote.
For Los Angeles, Kuminga has been the clear priority throughout the summer. If that doesn’t come together, the Lakers would need to look elsewhere for a starting power forward, either through the trade market or by turning to someone already on the roster.
Cleveland’s path looks different. The Cavaliers have already worked to open up more financial flexibility, and that has put Watson firmly on the table.
A resolution could come quickly. Both teams are still trying to fill important needs, and Cleveland’s cap maneuvering has made it more capable of chasing the players it wants.
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