Momentum has stalled: between the Lakers and Jonathan Kuminga, with the two sides reportedly far apart on contract terms, according to Dan Woike of *The Athletic*.
The Lakers are not motivated to include significant draft capital in a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks to acquire Kuminga.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the team "most-often connected" to Kuminga outside of Los Angeles, per league sources.
Kuminga is reportedly seeking a contract worth between $15 million and $20 million annually, a price the Cavaliers cannot offer directly without a sign-and-trade.
LeBron James' free agency decision: is the primary bottleneck — both teams are waiting for his choice before committing to other moves.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has a prior relationship with Kuminga from their time together with the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers' interest in Kuminga dates back to late June, but according to reports from *The Athletic*, negotiations have hit a wall. The Lakers recently signed Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, filling some of their wing needs and reducing roster flexibility. They now face the prospect of trading away multiple players just to open a roster spot for Kuminga.
More critically, Los Angeles is unwilling to part with valuable draft picks in a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Kuminga's camp is seeking a deal in the $15–20 million per year range, and the gap in valuation between the two sides appears significant.
Cleveland's interest in Kuminga stems from their need to upgrade the wing rotation. If LeBron James decides against a reunion with his hometown team, the Cavaliers view Kuminga as a logical — albeit less compelling — alternative.
However, acquiring Kuminga is far from straightforward. As *Cleveland.com's* Chris Fedor explained, the Cavs would need Atlanta's cooperation in a sign-and-trade. Potential matching salaries like Max Strus and Dennis Schröder may not appeal to the Hawks, and Cleveland would likely need to add compensation to get a deal done.
At 23 years old, Kuminga remains a projection. He spent the second half of last season with Atlanta after being traded from Golden State for Kristaps Porziņģis. His athleticism and scoring potential are intriguing, but he has yet to establish himself as a consistent contributor.
Everything revolves around LeBron James. As Fedor bluntly put it, "When you go from talking about LeBron James to Jonathan Kuminga, that is a drastic difference." Until the 41-year-old superstar makes his decision — whether that's returning to Cleveland, signing elsewhere, or another outcome — the Kuminga sweepstakes will remain frozen.
Why has the Jonathan Kuminga-Lakers deal stalled?
The Lakers and Kuminga are reportedly far apart on contract terms, and Los Angeles is unwilling to include significant draft capital in a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. The team also has limited roster flexibility after recent signings.
Can the Cavaliers sign Jonathan Kuminga outright?
No. The Cavaliers cannot offer the $15–20 million annual salary Kuminga is seeking through a standard free-agent signing. They would need to execute a sign-and-trade with the Hawks, requiring matching salaries and likely additional compensation.
How does LeBron James' decision affect Kuminga's free agency?
LeBron's choice is the primary bottleneck. The Lakers' need for Kuminga diminishes if they retain or replace LeBron, while the Cavaliers only view Kuminga as a Plan B if James signs elsewhere.
What is Kenny Atkinson's connection to Jonathan Kuminga?
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson worked with Kuminga as an assistant coach during their shared time with the Golden State Warriors, giving Cleveland confidence their system could unlock his potential.
For Lakers fans:: The Kuminga pursuit appears unlikely to materialize unless his asking price drops significantly or the team reconsiders its willingness to trade draft assets.
For Cavaliers fans:: Kuminga is a high-upside gamble but represents a massive drop-off from LeBron James. A sign-and-trade is complicated and far from guaranteed.
For neutral NBA observers:: The league remains in a holding pattern until LeBron makes his decision. Once he does, expect a flurry of activity around Kuminga and other free agents.
Who this affects most:: Kuminga himself, whose market value and next destination depend entirely on where LeBron lands.
Do you think Jonathan Kuminga will end up with the Lakers, the Cavaliers, or somewhere else entirely? Let us know in the comments!
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