Cleveland's advantage in the Jonathan Kuminga race is its potentially stronger sign-and-trade package and mutual interest with the forward, while the Lakers' offer to Atlanta is reportedly considered underwhelming.
The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to have gained an advantage over the Los Angeles Lakers in the race to acquire Jonathan Kuminga.
Cleveland officials maintained contact with Kuminga and his Cleveland-based agent, Aaron Turner, throughout LeBron James' free agency, and the two sides have mutual interest, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
The Cavaliers can now focus on their alternative targets after James chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, and Kuminga has emerged as one of their main options to strengthen the wing position.
Mutual interest between Kuminga and Cavaliers
Kuminga is reportedly interested in playing for Cleveland and reuniting with Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, who previously worked with him as an assistant on Steve Kerr's Golden State Warriors staff.
"Jonathan likes the Cavs, likes Kenny Atkinson, and Donovan Mitchell likes him," Turner told Vardon.
Kuminga also spent part of the 2025 offseason training in Cleveland, while Turner is from Northeast Ohio, providing further connections between the player and the organization.
The Cavaliers would likely need to acquire Kuminga through a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks because of their salary-cap situation.
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Lakers have actively pursued Kuminga
The Lakers have also been actively pursuing Kuminga as they search for a starting-caliber forward following James' departure.
Los Angeles has remained in contact with Kuminga's representatives and reportedly views the 23-year-old as a potential starter alongside Luka Doncic. However, the Lakers and Hawks have struggled to find acceptable sign-and-trade terms.
League sources told The Athletic that the package Los Angeles is prepared to offer Atlanta is considered underwhelming. Cleveland, meanwhile, possesses trade pieces that could be more appealing to the Hawks.
Veterans Max Strus and Dennis Schroder have been mentioned as potential pieces Cleveland could use in a sign-and-trade construction.
Kuminga is seeking a contract worth approximately $20 million to $23 million annually, close to the value of the option Atlanta declined.
Neither Cleveland nor Los Angeles can offer him that salary outright, making the Hawks' cooperation necessary.
Credit AP - Scanpix
Kuminga weighing several options
According to The Athletic, Kuminga could still return to Atlanta on a short-term contract, while the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers have also been mentioned among his possible destinations.
The former No. 7 overall pick began his NBA career with Golden State and was part of the Warriors' 2022 championship team. He was traded to Atlanta alongside Buddy Hield in February 2026 in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.
Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 36 appearances during the 2025-26 season.
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