The Cleveland Cavaliers' acquisition of Peyton Watson on Wednesday has ruled them out of the race for Jonathan Kuminga, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in an even stronger position when it comes to the former Golden State Warriors forward.
The path has now become so clear -- thanks to a dwindling number of suitors -- that the Lakers could land Kuminga on a cheap free agency contract in an outcome that should cause some fear among the Warrior organization.
Lakers have got clear Jonathan Kuminga path Warriors should fear
Cleveland's removal from the equation makes it even more likely that Kuminga will have to sign a short-term, prove it contract rather than getting the nearly $20 million per year deal he's still been chasing after having his $24.3 million team option declined by the Atlanta Hawks.
That would be a great outcome for the Lakers, allowing them to acquire the former Warrior without having to give up an asset to the Hawks in a sign-and-trade, and without having to give Kuminga a deal upwards of $15 million annually.
That instantly reduces the risk and therefore the external expectation on Kuminga once the season gets underway. Of course, there's always a level of expectation when playing in the Purple and Gold, but suddenly we'd be looking at Kuminga through a very different lens.
There's a world in which this works. One where Kuminga is valuable and incredibly productive for a player making the taxpayer mid-level exception or less. The Warriors would be nervous about that potential outcome given their proximity to the Lakers, their rivalry and battle in the West standings, and the media spotlight that would ensure any positive Kuminga development wouldn't go ignored.
Warriors justified for their Jonathan Kumings stance...for now
Golden State's (and particularly Steve Kerr's) treatment of Kuminga was criticized for years, and still is among a section of the NBA fanbase. However, the Warriors and Kerr have been largely justified for their stance given the Hawks were quick to move on after only a few months and despite a couple of promising playoff performances.
It's also been justified by another ongoing free agency wait, with the league clearly not valuing Kuminga in a way he and his camp would like despite the talent that's been flashed over his first five seasons.
But Kuminga is 23-years-old and there's still time for things to change. If he goes to the Lakers on a cheap deal and plays a significant role on a playoff team, best believe negative attention will return onto the Warriors and their previous handling of the former seventh overall pick.
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