Jonathan Kuminga's long-running free agency saga may be tilting increasingly toward the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, "significant momentum" is building toward Kuminga finalizing a contract with Los Angeles, with the Lakers also emerging as the 23-year-old forward's preferred destination.
The development comes as the Cleveland Cavaliers have traded for restricted free agent Peyton Watson, significantly narrowing Kuminga's remaining market.
Sidery reports that Kuminga's realistic options are now the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, with Los Angeles holding the advantage because it is the player's preferred landing spot.
Lakers have already made multiple pushes for Kuminga
The Lakers' interest is hardly new.
Los Angeles initially offered Kuminga approximately $10 million annually on a two-year contract early in free agency, but the former No. 7 overall pick declined to immediately accept it while waiting to see whether a stronger market would develop.
ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel previously reported that Kuminga was seeking closer to $14-16 million annually at that stage.
The Lakers subsequently explored ways to increase their financial offer through a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
Sidery previously reported that Los Angeles had offered Kuminga a deal worth approximately $45 million through a sign-and-trade and was willing to send Jarred Vanderbilt along with draft compensation to Atlanta.
A sign-and-trade has proved complicated, however.
Atlanta has shown little interest in taking Vanderbilt's contract directly, forcing the Lakers to explore the possibility of finding a third team willing to absorb the veteran forward.
Kuminga would also have to sign a contract lasting at least three seasons for a sign-and-trade to satisfy NBA rules, another complication after reports that he preferred greater flexibility if forced to accept less than his desired salary.
Lakers have pitched starting role alongside Doncic
Los Angeles has remained persistent despite those obstacles.
ESPN's Anthony Slater previously reported that the Lakers continued contacting Kuminga and pitched him on the possibility of stepping directly into a starting role.
The organization has viewed Kuminga as a potential athletic starting forward alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, giving him an opportunity to take on a significant role while rebuilding his value.
With LeBron James leaving for Philadelphia this summer, the Lakers have aggressively rebuilt the roster around Doncic but have continued searching for another starting-caliber wing.
Kuminga has remained one of their primary targets throughout that process.
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Cavaliers' Watson decision changed market
Cleveland had represented the Lakers' most significant competition for Kuminga for much of the offseason, but with the recent trade, they are no longer in the race.
The Timberwolves have shown interest, but their financial limitations make them a considerably more difficult destination.
Minnesota has operated close to the second apron and would need additional maneuvering to create a more competitive offer. Previous reporting indicated that its available taxpayer mid-level exception was worth roughly $6 million.
That leaves the Lakers in their strongest position yet.