Latest Jonathan Kuminga Rumors on Lakers, Cavs 'Seriously' Pursuing Hawks Sign-and-Trade

A pair of teams reportedly are "seriously pursuing" Jonathan Kuminga after the Atlanta Hawks declined his team option this offseason.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are in the mix for the forward, though it hinges on the Hawks being amenable to a sign-and-trade.

"I'm told the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams seriously pursuing Kuminga. There are a couple other teams as well poking around this situation," Charania said on NBA Today. "But both the Lakers and the Cavs would have sizable roles, potentially as a starter, for Kuminga. But they would need a sign-and-trade that works for the Atlanta Hawks, who declined his team option this summer. As well as a number that Kuminga would accept, as well. Those conversations are ongoing."

The Lakers have been eyeing Kuminga for most of the offseason and reportedly could have offered him a two-year deal worth $20 million, but he is believed to be looking for a deal that would pay him closer to $20 million annually.

ESPN's Anthony Slater reported earlier this month that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick pitched him on "a vision of being a high-minutes wing next to Luka Doncic in a spacious on-court environment conducive to Kuminga's skill set."

In terms of a sign-and-trade, Khobi Price of the California Post reported that a potential deal would include Kuminga going to Los Angeles from Atlanta in return for Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers' 2032 first-round pick swap.

According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Hawks are expected to be "pretty choosy" with their sign-and-trade scenarios for Kuminga. A report from The Athletic's Dan Woike also noted that the Lakers are "not overly motivated to push significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios" for Kuminga.

Still, as of last week, the Lakers were still reportedly making calls to Kuminga, so it seems their interest hasn't subsided.

As for the Cavs, Kuminga reportedly was a backup plan for the team if LeBron James decided to go elsewhere. With James on his way to the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland will now try to bring in Kuminga.

Kuminga, 23, averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16 appearances for the Hawks after being traded from the Golden State Warriors. He's still looking to prove himself as a capable starter, and Los Angeles or Cleveland might be the place for him to do so.