On Friday, Anthony Slater contributed to a piece on ESPN updating where things stand regarding Kuminga and the Lakers. “The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn’t satisfy all sides. The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks.”

It was previously reported that negotiations between Los Angeles and Kuminga had stalled. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that this stalemate continues. The Lakers, as Slater reported, remain interested and have continued calling to inquire about the talented forward.

Lakers will keep pursuing Kuminga

While this Kuminga free agency has been long and tiring for fans, it is all part of the negotiations. Remember that the Lakers are not the only ones interested in Kuminga.

The Hawks reportedly want a first-round swap, Kuminga wants a deal that he is enticed to sign, and Los Angeles’ alleged contract offer has not accomplished that. Until all parties can agree, this will continue to drag on. Ultimately, though, this is Kuminga’s decision.

While a sign-and-trade would bring him the greatest financial benefit, he is an unrestricted free agent and can choose his destination. Information regarding his possibilities will likely remain the same for now, and he must decide what he wants to do.

The Lakers can offer Kuminga the opportunity to start on a team with title aspirations. If he plays well in the purple and gold jersey, it could greatly boost his reputation in the NBA.

According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the team could set its sights on Northern California to steal De’Andre Hunter from the Sacramento Kings. “Hunter is extension eligible, but as Sacramento retools, the franchise needs to wait and see before making any further hefty commitments. The Lakers can help get the team immediately under the luxury tax with a combination of Vanderbilt, Knecht, and Hardy (or LaRavia),” wrote Pincus.

Hunter is a former lottery pick who has shown flashes of being a strong three-and-D player over the years. He’s been wildly inconsistent from season to season and has struggled to stay on the floor at times, but he’s also tailor-made for JJ Redick’s system and what the Lakers need at forward, making him potentially the perfect alternative to Kuminga.

What the Kings would need to consider

Sacramento would have to accept a combination of players the Lakers are clearly finished with and trying to move away from. Knowing that, it might not be an easy sell. The Kings would look at a combination of Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and Jaden Hardy.

It was made clear that Hunter is a fallback option and not a priority. Perhaps a fresh start with a contender could help the Lakers easily get over the idea of Kuminga if the team ultimately ends up missing out, but the Kings won’t let him go easily either.

Hunter’s NBA career trajectory

Hunter started his career with the Atlanta Hawks. He spent six NBA seasons there, appearing in 300 games. The veteran forward posted averages of 14.8 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 36.8% from three.

In 2024-2025, the Hawks sent Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was traded after playing 43 games with the Cavs, just one year after the initial trade. Hunter left Cleveland after averaging 14.1 points and 4.2 rebounds, making 35.2% of his shots from three.

Hunter appeared in just two games for the Kings last year. For the time being, he is expected to spend the 2026-2027 season in Sacramento. This season, Hunter is set to make $24.9 million before becoming a free agent in 2027.

According to Jake Fischer, Kuminga does not want to be “boxed into” a three-year contract for an amount he deems below his market value. Furthermore, the Lakers already offered a two-year, $20 million deal, which Kuminga reportedly declined as he waits out the market for a more lucrative proposal.

“I have been repeatedly told by league sources familiar with the teams’ dynamic that the Lakers and Hawks never held meaningful discussions on a sign-and-trade proposal that would have landed Kuminga with the Lakers in exchange for Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2032 first-round pick swap,” Fischer wrote. “It has also been stressed to me that Kuminga, to this point in free agency, isn’t looking to be boxed into a three-year structure (as required by league rules to complete a sign-and-trade) at a number he deems below his market value.”

Complications mounting for the Lakers

Kuminga has once again become the subject of a drawn-out offseason saga after the Atlanta Hawks declined the $24.3 million team option on the former Golden State Warriors star. While the Cavaliers and Lakers have maintained consistent interest, both teams reportedly require a sign-and-trade proposal, which league rules dictate must be a three-year contract.

League sources indicate Cleveland has not backed away from its pursuit even after recent roster additions, while the Lakers remain interested if Kuminga becomes willing to accept a contract structure that aligns with the organization’s finances. Cleveland, already hard-capped at the NBA‘s first apron, would need to acquire Kuminga through a sign-and-trade. However, the squad has struggled to construct a package that Atlanta would find acceptable.

Cavaliers and Lakers lead pursuit

Cleveland’s financial situation continues to influence other roster decisions, including contract negotiations with James Harden, whose contract is expected to include no more than two fully guaranteed seasons as Cleveland attempts to stay below the second apron for a second consecutive year. Cleveland has also shown reluctance to sacrifice future assets such as Max Strus or Dennis Schroder in its attempt to acquire Kuminga.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles reportedly wants Kuminga to step in as its starting small forward if a deal can be finalized. However, with Kuminga unwilling to sign a three-year contract and choosing to hold out for a better offer than the two-year deal Los Angeles presented, little progress has been made.

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers will meet with Kuminga about working toward finalizing a potential sign-and-trade agreement soon. Cleveland stands as a main finalist for Kuminga’s services alongside the Lakers, maintaining the same trend seen so far.

However, the main issue remains Kuminga’s expectations. Kuminga continues to seek a deal exceeding $20 million annually. Contract length has become the primary obstacle in Kuminga’s NBA market. A sign-and-trade requires a three-year deal under the collective bargaining agreement, but Kuminga’s position is that he will take less than his asking price only on a one-year contract.

Kuminga’s situation

Cleveland sits roughly $25.3 million under the first apron and just under $38 million under the second. The Cavaliers can start Kuminga at $6.1 million on the taxpayer mid-level exception, for $12.4 million over two years. Using the exception hard-caps Cleveland at the second apron. Max Strus is owed $16 million this season and Dennis Schroder $14.7 million, with both contracts set to expire next summer.

The Los Angeles Lakers face complications in their path to completing a sign-and-trade for Kuminga. The Atlanta Hawks have been reluctant to take back Jarred Vanderbilt in a sign-and-trade, which could mean a third team is needed.

Atlanta declined Kuminga‘s $24.3 million option in June. He has been an unrestricted free agent since, marking the first time in his career he has reached the open market.

A bonus for the Cavs is that Cleveland appeals to Kuminga. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was Steve Kerr’s lead assistant in Golden State for Kuminga’s first three seasons. Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, is from Northeast Ohio, and Kuminga spent part of the 2025 offseason training in Cleveland. “Jonathan likes the Cavs, likes (coach) Kenny Atkinson, and (star) Donovan Mitchell likes him,” Turner told The Athletic last week.

“The market for 23-year-old wing Jonathan Kuminga is not what he hoped it would be. Atlanta did not pick up the team’s $24.3 million option for this season, Kuminga hoped he could find a team willing to pay him around that number in a new, multi-year deal. No such luck,” NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin wrote.

“The offers out there were more like the Cavaliers still offering the rest of their mid-level exception this season (a little less than $8 million) or the Lakers offering two years, $20 million total.”

Kuminga has become a diamond in the rough this offseason, not only because of his age but also because of what he can offer to the teams interested in him. Will he take his talent to the Western Conference, or will he instead move to Cleveland?

Where would Kuminga fit best?

While Jonathan Kuminga has familiarity with Cleveland’s head coach Kenny Atkinson from their time in Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers would represent a significantly better overall fit for his projected role in the 2026–27 NBA season.

LeBron James’ departure to the Philadelphia 76ers would eventually give Kuminga a bigger role in LA, where Luka Doncic is currently the main star. Conversely, Cleveland’s recent acquisition of Mario Hezonja creates a crowded wing rotation alongside Donovan Mitchell, where Kuminga would likely be relegated to a secondary off-ball role in a slower, guard-centric system.

Kuminga’s numbers with the Hawks

After being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in February 2026, Jonathan Kuminga posted solid production in a limited sample size. Across 16 games with the Hawks, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while playing roughly 23 minutes per night.

According to ClutchPoints‘ Brett Siegel, the Lakers now stand as the sole remaining suitor for the young forward. While the Cavaliers theoretically remain in the hunt, Hezonja’s arrival fills a key wing spot and consumes some cap space.

Siegel anticipates a sign-and-trade between the Lakers and the Hawks involving Jarred Vanderbilt to secure Kuminga, giving Los Angeles a clearer path to the 23-year-old. However, Joe Vardon of The Athletic previously reported mutual interest between Cleveland and Kuminga, suggesting a deal with Los Angeles is far from certain.

Potential candidate in pursuit of Kuminga

While primary attention remains on the Cavaliers and Lakers, Jake Weinbach—who also views the Lakers as clear candidates and the Cavs as clear pursuers—noted that another team could enter the mix. “The Bucks shouldn’t be ruled out as a potential sign-and-trade destination, either,” Weinbach stated.

Mutual interest between Kuminga and Cavaliers

Kuminga is reportedly interested in playing for Cleveland and reuniting with Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, who previously worked with him as an assistant on Steve Kerr’s Golden State Warriors staff.

“Jonathan likes the Cavs, likes Kenny Atkinson, and Donovan Mitchell likes him,” Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, told Vardon. Kuminga also spent part of the 2025 offseason training in Cleveland, while Turner is from Northeast Ohio, providing further connections between the player and the organization.

Kuminga is seeking a contract worth approximately $20 million to $23 million annually, close to the value of the option Atlanta declined. Neither Cleveland nor Los Angeles can offer him that salary outright, making the Hawks’ cooperation necessary.

For weeks, multiple contenders believed they had a realistic chance to land the four-time NBA champion. Now that James has chosen Philadelphia, those organizations are being forced to pivot toward other high-profile free agents before the market becomes even more competitive.

One player expected to benefit from that domino effect is Jonathan Kuminga, who has suddenly emerged as one of the most intriguing names available to make a big splash.

Cavaliers reportedly interested in Jonathan Kuminga

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers could shift their focus to Jonathan Kuminga after missing out on LeBron James. “You’re going to look at names like Jonathan Kuminga in play with the Cavaliers. They were banking on potentially getting LeBron James.”

LeBron’s decision has significantly changed the landscape of the Eastern Conference. With the 76ers adding James, the Knicks remaining among the conference’s top contenders, and the Miami Heat continuing to strengthen their roster, the Cavaliers can no longer afford to wait if they hope to keep pace in the title race.

That is where Kuminga could become a priority. The talented forward entered free agency after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option, making him one of the biggest available names on the market.

If the Cavs succeed in signing Kuminga, it would immediately soften the disappointment of missing out on LeBron while adding another young, athletic piece capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.

After James decided to sign with Philadelphia, the Cavaliers may try to pivot toward acquiring Kuminga, who is familiar with head coach Kenny Atkinson from their time together in Golden State when Atkinson served as Steve Kerr’s top assistant.

According to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, the Cavaliers have been in communication with the 23-year-old forward and his Cleveland-based agent, Aaron Turner, throughout free agency. “Jonathan likes the Cavs, likes (coach) Kenny Atkinson, and (star) Donovan Mitchell likes him,” Turner told The Athletic in a brief interview. Turner added that his client is a fan of the city overall and spent a couple of months training in Cleveland during the 2025 NBA offseason.

How the Cavaliers will get him

While the Cavaliers have some bigger names on their radar that have yet to surface publicly, Kuminga has clearly been among their known targets for weeks. The primary question remains how Cleveland secures him. Vardon reports that Kuminga is seeking somewhere between $20 million and $23 million annually, which would likely require a sign-and-trade with the Hawks.

The Cavaliers could offer considerably less using their taxpayer mid-level exception, but Kuminga is looking for a larger contract. A sign-and-trade would therefore require Atlanta’s cooperation and almost certainly some roster maneuvering from Cleveland.

Max Strus and Dennis Schroder have been mentioned as potential trade candidates, though there is no indication that either player is definitely headed out.

Meanwhile, James Harden’s expected return remains another key piece of Cleveland‘s offseason puzzle. While hurdles exist, the interest in Kuminga is real and mutual. More importantly for the Cavaliers, the team can finally start acting on it now that the month-long wait for LeBron James is officially over.

According to ESPN‘s Anthony Slater, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka continues to contact Kuminga’s representatives, despite the two sides failing to reach an agreement.

“I can tell you that they keep calling Jonathan Kuminga,” Slater said on ESPN‘s NBA Today. “Obviously, they have not made a lucrative enough offer for Kuminga to jump. But part of their pitch has been, ‘Hey, you can come start here potentially.'”

What is holding back negotiations

The main obstacle preventing negotiations from advancing is the Lakers‘ proposal to Kuminga. Kuminga has a history with the Warriors of being ambitious and seeking higher financial compensation for his play, and Los Angeles has yet to offer a deal that catches his attention.

The Lakers have previously been described as Kuminga‘s most aggressive suitor and a strong potential fit or role player alongside Doncic, but their offer has not been substantial enough to convince the 23-year-old forward to commit. Los Angeles reportedly discussed a two-year contract worth approximately $20 million.

The Lakers still looking for more

Slater believes the continued pursuit shows that Los Angeles does not consider its offseason work complete. “And that says two things to me,” Slater explained. “Number one, it says the Lakers still don’t want to be done making moves, right? And they believe they’re a little weak at the wing position.”

The Lakers have already added Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams to strengthen their perimeter rotation, but Slater suggested that the organization still wants a more dynamic option at the position. “I think Thybulle will help. I think Ziaire Williams will help,” Slater said. “But they could use some more juice on the wing.”

Kuminga would provide athleticism, size, and downhill scoring alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The former No. 7 overall pick averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 36 appearances for the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks last season.

The Hawks have a chance to be fully healthy for the first time in a long stretch, as Kuminga’s status has been upgraded ahead of their matchup against the Washington Wizards. Kuminga has been dealing with a bone bruise, an injury that sidelined him shortly after the trade and delayed his integration into the lineup.

Kuminga is now listed as questionable against the Wizards, a positive sign that he is nearing a return to the floor. Last week, the Hawks noted that he was progressing well in his recovery from the bone bruise and would be reevaluated in a week, with his status then updated. The organization has remained encouraged by the forward’s steady improvement.

Kuminga was seen knocking down shots during Hawks practice, another promising indication regarding his on-court readiness. Adding Kuminga to the Hawks’ rotation could strengthen their wing depth, and his skill set may create opportunities for the rest of the roster. His ability to attack the paint and get to the rim will be key for the Hawks, whether finishing plays or finding an open teammate.

The moves the Hawks have made

The Hawks recently made a lineup adjustment, inserting CJ McCollum into the starting five alongside Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander Walker, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu, while moving Zaccharie Risacher to the bench.

With Risacher operating as a wing, it will be worth monitoring how the Hawks distribute those bench minutes once Kuminga is fully healthy, and whether both forwards can share the court in certain lineups for the rest of the NBA season.

Kuminga numbers

For his career, Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game across 278 appearances with the Golden State Warriors. He last played on Jan. 22, when he scored 10 points in nine minutes during the Warriors’ loss to the Dallas Mavericks, a performance that came shortly before his injury absence.

Kuminga’s situation had lingered since the offseason, when no resolution was reached despite clear internal tension. His role became a sensitive issue within the roster, and head coach Steve Kerr faced a difficult balancing act between development and winning, a challenge that ultimately proved unsustainable.

Kerr finally addressed the situation publicly on ESPN, offering a candid assessment of why the relationship reached a breaking point. “He needed the runway to make more mistakes… It was very tough not being allowed to make those mistakes. For us as a staff, it was tricky trying to develop him while we were trying to win. I think it’s as simple as that.”

Kuminga’s departure became inevitable, and Buddy Hield also paid the price in the process, a loss the Warriors are expected to feel. On the other side of the deal, Golden State hoped to get Porzingis back healthy and productive for the stretch run. He had not played since Jan. 7, but team sources indicated Porzingis was expected to return shortly after joining the Warriors. Golden State sat at 27-24, eighth in the Western Conference at the time.

The other move the Warriors made

The Warriors also traded backup center Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2026 second-round pick, sources told ESPN. The move left Quentin Post as the primary alternative at center, with veteran Al Horford also available, though his minutes were expected to be managed carefully.

The Warriors’ new plan

Golden State previously explored a potential move for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but those talks did not materialize, and the Greek Freak remained with Milwaukee. However, the Warriors were not done planning for the future and already had an offseason strategy in place.

A recent report from The Athletic’s Nick Friedell outlined Golden State’s flexibility once the summer arrived for the NBA. “The good news for Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy is that roster limits are much looser in the summer,” Friedell wrote. “He could add more money in the short term in an attempt to make a deal happen.”

“Separately, if the Warriors wait until after the draft in June, they could potentially include their 2026 pick and their 2027 first-round picks to give the Bucks more assets in the short term.”

In short, Golden State appeared prepared to join the list of contenders expected to pursue Antetokounmpo in the offseason. For now, the Warriors remained focused on salvaging the current campaign, with Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis positioned as the pillars of their late-season push.