Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors. Image via: Cleveland Cavaliers an​d Golden State Warriors​Jonathan Kuminga's free agency has turned into a two-team race, and both sides have reportedly landed on the same number. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers are said to have capped their offers for the forward at around $18 million annually, well below the $20 million-plus he initially sought after Atlanta declined his $24.3 million team option.Cleveland has already met with Kuminga's side to work toward a sign-and-trade framework, and with Donovan Mitchell now locked up on a four-year extension and Cleveland working to re-sign James Harden, adding a 23-year-old wing with championship pedigree would address one of the roster's clearest needs. Whether Kuminga is willing to come down to Cleveland's number is now the deciding factor.CategoryDetailsPlayerJonathan KumingaCurrent TeamAtlanta Hawks (unrestricted free agent)Rumored TeamCleveland CavaliersContract StatusUnrestricted free agent after Hawks declined his $24.3 million team optionSalary Cap HitOriginally sought $20 million-plus annually; range has since narrowed to $15-18 millionTrade LikelihoodCavaliers reported to hold an edge over the Lakers in sign-and-trade talksLatest Insider UpdateCavaliers met with Kuminga's camp to work toward a sign-and-trade frameworkPotential ReturnMax Strus and Dennis Schröder speculated as possible pieces going back to AtlantaWhy Kuminga's situation has put Cleveland under pressureJonathan Kuminga. Image via: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Cleveland entered this offseason searching for a long-term wing and instead watched its roster thin out further. Dean Wade left for the Philadelphia 76ers, Keon Ellis signed with the Brooklyn Nets, and Larry Nance Jr. returned to the Indiana Pacers for a second stint elsewhere. The Cavaliers answered with depth moves like Thomas Bryant and Mario Hezonja rather than a wing solution, leaving the position still open.Kuminga, meanwhile, played just 16 games for Atlanta after arriving in a deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State, averaging 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and an assist in the team's series against the New York Knicks. The Hawks declined his option rather than pay $24.3 million, pushing him onto the open market at 23 years old with real upside still ahead of him.Contract: Unrestricted free agent; Hawks declined a $24.3 million team optionCurrent status: Free agent negotiating a sign-and-trade, with Cleveland and Los Angeles as reported finalistsCleveland's sign-and-trade idea: solving the wing spot"The Cavaliers will meet with Jonathan Kuminga about working towards finalizing a potential sign-and-trade agreement soon, per Chris Fedor. Cleveland is a main finalist for Kuminga's services alongside the Lakers. Kuminga continues to seek a deal exceeding $20 million annually," NBA reporter Evan Sidery shared.The framework being discussed would have Cleveland structure a sign-and-trade with Atlanta, since the Hawks are already over the roster limit and need the move to return usable value rather than simply losing Kuminga for nothing. Names like Max Strus and Dennis Schröder have been mentioned as pieces Cleveland could send back to make the math work, though nothing has been confirmed as a finalized package.The appeal for Cleveland goes beyond need. Kuminga was on Golden State's title-winning roster before his move to Atlanta, and head coach Kenny Atkinson was part of that Warriors staff. That shared history is viewed as a real factor in Cleveland's pitch, giving the Cavaliers a relationship angle the Lakers can't match.Player Profile and 2025-26 Performance SnapshotPlayerAgePrior-season TeamPPG/RPG/APGContract StatusNotesJonathan Kuminga23Atlanta Hawks13.7 / 3.3 / 1.0Unrestricted free agent; sign-and-trade candidateStats reflect 16-game stint with Atlanta onlyWhat Cleveland gains from this moveKuminga gives Cleveland a young, athletic wing still on the rise, a clear upgrade over the depth pieces the Cavaliers have retained this offseason. Slotting him alongside James Harden, assuming Cleveland re-signs him, would give Kuminga an established playmaker to work off of while he continues developing as a scorer.Financially, locking Kuminga in around the reported $15-18 million range rather than his original $20 million-plus ask would let Cleveland add the piece without blowing past its intended spending level, especially with Mitchell's extension now on the books.Cleveland's existing relationship through Kenny Atkinson and its reported asset advantage in sign-and-trade talks give it a real edge over the Lakers, but the gap between Kuminga's original ask and both teams' $18 million ceiling remains the biggest unresolved variable in this rumor.