The future of former Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga continues to be clouded, with the 23-year-old remaining unsigned nearly six weeks into free agency.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a leading suitor for Kuminga, but they've dealt the young forward another blow in his hopes of landing a healthy new contract after reports of their interest in restricted free agent Peyton Watson.
Cavs deal Jonathan Kuminga another blow with Peyton Watson pursuit
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Monday, the Cavaliers are a "serious" candidate to land Watson who, much like Kuminga with the Warriors last summer, is in a stalled restricted free agency process with the Denver Nuggets.
But unlike Golden State with Kuminga 12 months ago, Denver are seemingly open to sign-and-trade discussions despite a breakout year for Watson where he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1% from 3-point range.
Cleveland's pursuit of Watson could mean the Kuminga option is on the backburner, with next to no chance that the franchise lands both young forwards given their cap situation and subsequent constraints.
If the Cavaliers are successful in landing Watson in a sign-and-trade with the Nuggets, it would take another option off the table for Kuminga after his interest in reuniting with former Warriors assistant and now Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson.
A return to the Atlanta Hawks has seemingly been eliminated as well after the franchise handed Lu Dort the No. 0 jersey Kuminga wore at the end of last season. There had been previous reports that a new deal with the Hawks was a possibility despite them having initially declined Kuminga's $24.3 million team option to make him an unrestricted free agent.
Jonathan Kuminga may be forced into one-year prove it deal
The Los Angeles Lakers have arguably been the biggest Kuminga suitor over the last month, and that remains the case particularly after reports of the Cavaliers' serious interest in Watson. However, why would the Lakers go above and beyond to acquire the former seventh overall pick when the other alternative options are disappearing around him?
It could ultimately lead Kuminga to signing a one year prove it contract with the Lakers or another team, allowing him to re-enter free agency again next year where more teams project to have cap space.
This is seemingly turning into another free agency debacle for Kuminga who previously rejected a longer term contract from the Warriors in the hopes of maximizing this exact opportunity.
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