When it comes to the rumblings that are continued around Peyton Watson, Jonathan Kuminga, what are you hearing and how likely is it that the Cavs make a move that could get them both of these players? Chris Fedor: Yeah, I think both of them is highly unlikely. Again, on this podcast, we never say never and we try and deal in reality as much as we possibly can. Getting one of them is going to be hard enough given the salary cap situation that the Cavs are currently in, given the lack of perceived trade assets and given the salary cap situation of some of These other teams that we’re talking about here. So for example, you’ve got the Atlanta Hawks who have said to teams around the NBA it looked we’re willing to help out Jonathan Kuminga in a potential
sign and trade, but we need to be incentivized in order to do that. We’ve got to get something back in return that we actually like. And that’s part of the holdup, it feels like, between the Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers, because there are people around the NBA that are saying to themselves, what are the Lakers going to give the Hawks that the Hawks value enough or that the Hawks actually want? The hawks already have 17 guys under contract, so they have some things that they have to do internally.
More on Jonathan Kuminga: Recent HoopsHype Rumors
The Cavs, sources say, have been in touch with Kuminga’s representatives throughout the week, trying to determine whether there is a realistic financial pathway to a deal and what it would cost — both in salary and roster subtractions. With the Cavaliers’ current cap situation, any sign-and-trade would create a hard cap at the first apron. — 7/31/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sources say the 23-year-old Kuminga wants an annual deal in the $15-20 million range, which would necessitate a sign-and-trade with Atlanta involving either swingman Max Strus or Dennis Schroder. The Hawks, already with 17 players on the roster and incredibly close to the luxury tax, would have to cooperate — and actually want what Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers or Milwaukee Bucks are willing to offer in a sign-and-trade. — 7/31/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sources say the Cavs have expressed interest in free agents DeMar DeRozan, Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga. DeRozan, the 17-year NBA veteran, was waived by Sacramento a little more than three weeks ago and has been viewed leaguewide as a possible low-cost target for any team that missed on LeBron. There’s an argument that DeRozan is the best available free agent. — 7/31/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
Amid active sign-and-trade interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, along with the possibility of re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks, another suitor has expressed interest in free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. After missing out on their pursuit of LeBron James, the Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed interest in Kuminga with their starting power forward spot up for grabs and their $6.06 million taxpayer mid-level exception available for the taking, league sources told HoopsHype. — 7/31/2026 HoopsHype
NBABase: Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are actively pursuing Jonathan Kuminga via sign-and-trade, per @ShamsCharania "Whatever deal could happen will likely be a sign-and-trade. So that's where both the Lakers and Cavs would need the Hawks to work with them on a Kuminga deal. They would also have to get Kuminga on the same page with them all in a potential deal." — 7/29/2026 x.com
Brian Windhorst: "The Cavs are still in the game for Jonathan Kuminga. I've talked to his agent. He does see a really good fit in Cleveland. I listen to the pathways the Cavs have to get him and I don't think they're realistic. That said, if you'd told me seven weeks ago that the 76ers would have Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, I would have not thought that was realistic." — 7/27/2026 YouTube
Shams Charania: "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. 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 for this summer, as well as a number that Kuminga would accept as well. Those conversations are ongoing." — 7/27/2026 YouTube
He’s been in talks this free agency on a new contract or a potential sign-and-trade out of Atlanta, but nothing has materialized nearly a month into the process. According to NBA insider Keith Smith, the biggest obstacle with Kuminga is the length of the deal. He can only be traded if he signs a three-year deal, but he insists on signing a one-year contract if he has to accept less money than he’s aiming for. “The challenge with Kuminga is that if he’s gonna take less money than what he wants, then he only wants to do it for a year,” reported Keith Smith. “He doesn’t want to do a three-year deal, and in order to do a sign-and-trade, he would have to have a three-year contract. That gets him stuck a little bit. He doesn’t want to be on a smaller contract that devalues himself.” — 7/26/2026 Fade Away World
Jonathan Kuminga has been in a holding pattern because of James’ decision. No tangible progress toward a deal between the Lakers and Kuminga has been made over the last couple of weeks, a source told The Post. The Cavaliers also have significant interest in Kuminga, sources said. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson coached Kuminga while Atkinson was an assistant coach with the Warriors from 2021-24. If James doesn’t go back to Cleveland for a third stint, it increases the likelihood of Kuminga joining the Cavaliers, who would likely make other moves to bring in Kuminga in addition to a sign-and-trade. — 7/24/2026 New York Post
ESPN Cleveland: Two free agent names to watch for the Cavs now that they're not getting LeBron, according to @WindhorstESPN : - Jonathan Kuminga - Mario Hezonja — 7/24/2026 x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Cavaliers 'highly unlikely' to land both Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson
