New Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors on Lakers, Cavs Interest, Timeline for Potential Deal

Now that the LeBron James domino has fallen, Jonathan Kuminga is now the top remaining unrestricted free agent and is on the radar for two teams with playoff aspirations next season.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers remain interested in Kuminga if the cost is right for the teams.

There are two holdups for a potential deal with the Cavs, according to Fischer. The first is they are already hard-capped at the first apron, so any deal for Kuminga would have to be a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

However, the second problem related to the first one is the Cavaliers are finding it "challenging" to assemble a trade they would be comfortable with and that would satisfy what the Hawks want.

As for the Lakers and Kuminga, Fischer reported the team's interest is dependent on Kuminga being "willing to accept a contract structure on the Lakers' terms."

There have also been no "meaningful discussions" between the Lakers and Hawks on a sign-and-trade swapping Kuminga for Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2032 first-round pick swap.

The Lakers are also hard-capped at the first apron after their acquisition of Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz. They are only $10.6 million under the first apron, while the Cavs are $25.3 million away from that threshold.

Cleveland's apron space is a bit misleading because it doesn't factor in whatever James Harden's contract is going to look like whenever the two sides agree to a deal.

Even though there's not much money left around the NBA for teams to add a potentially lucrative contract to their books, Fischer wrote there is a feeling of "optimism" within Kuminga's camp for "more movement and more earning potential as the offseason unfolds."

Kuminga split time during the 2025-26 season between the Hawks and Golden State Warriors. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 36 games across the two teams.