The Cleveland Cavaliers are officially scheduled to meet with former Warriors champion Jonathan Kuminga, a move that could seriously sideline the Los Angeles Lakers in the fight for his services. This free agency chase has been one of the wilder offseason storylines, and Cleveland is clearly ready to make its move to get Kuminga as a starting wing for the foreseeable future.
Kuminga’s Demand: More Than $20 Million Annually
Look, Kuminga isn’t cheap, and he knows his worth. The man is reportedly demanding a salary exceeding $20 million annually in free agency, according to NBA reporter Evan Sidery. That’s a serious number for a restricted free agent, and it’s why the Atlanta Hawks still have major control over where he ends up. Kuminga is actually looking for a sign-and-trade from the Hawks because of the added financial implications, which means his next team will have to work with Atlanta. The Lakers have been chasing Kuminga since the offseason kicked off, and for a minute there, it looked like they had the inside track. But Jovan Buha, a Lakers insider, spilled the beans: Los Angeles floated a two-year, $20 million deal, and Kuminga wasn’t having it. “There’s a gap,” Buha said, and that gap is at least another $10 million a year.
Cleveland Takes the Lead as Lakers Lose Steam
This is where the Cavaliers step in and really put the pressure on. With Kuminga’s demands clear, it seems he’ll sign with whichever team meets his price tag first. And Cleveland is reportedly doing everything in its power to make that happen. Chris Fedor confirmed the Cavaliers are meeting with Kuminga soon to try and finalize a potential sign-and-trade. They’re clearly selling him on being a key part of their starting five, showing him a long-term vision where he plays a major role. Meanwhile, the Lakers? They look like they’re losing momentum big time as this whole situation unfolds. This meeting gives Cleveland a massive opportunity to seal the deal and pull ahead of the Lakers.
It’s all coming down to the wire for Jonathan Kuminga. Will Cleveland close it out and snag their starting wing, or can the Lakers somehow claw their way back into this? Wherever Kuminga lands, that team is getting a former champ who wants his money and is ready to make an impact. We’ll be watching to see who blinks first!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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