The market without spending a dime agent ahead Jonathan Kuminga may need develop into clearer now that Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan have reportedly landed with their subsequent groups.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers stay high potential touchdown spots for Kuminga after Thompson and DeRozan reportedly dedicated to the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets, respectively.
Kuminga is presently an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his group choice. NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer beforehand reported the Hawks are anticipated to be “pretty choosy” with any potential sign-and-trade eventualities involving Kuminga.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday the Miami Heat are anticipated to signal Thompson after he clears waivers following a buyout by the Dallas Mavericks.
That will put the Heat on observe to make use of many of the group’s remaining midlevel exception to signal Thompson, per the Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported later the identical day the Denver Nuggets are signing DeRozan.
Some different potential touchdown spots for Kuminga had already taken themselves out of the working with acquisitions earlier this offseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers approached the primary luxurious tax apron by signing Peyton Watson and James Harden, whereas the Hawks spent the offseason including former Oklahoma City Thunder gamers Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort.
The Timberwolves stay a possible touchdown spot for Kuminga, in whom HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto just lately reported the group had “expressed interest” after lacking out on signing LeBron James.
The Wolves have “their starting power forward spot up for grabs and their $6.06 million taxpayer mid-level exception available for the taking,” Scotto famous.
The Athletic’s Dan Woike beforehand reported the Lakers had expressed curiosity in Kuminga, however that as of July “momentum has stalled with the sides far apart on terms and L.A. not overly motivated to push significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios.”
Woike famous Kuminga “could re-emerge as a target if his market remains tepid.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst stated in Friday’s episode of The Hoop Collective podcast he feels there’s “still a window” for the Lakers to finish a sign-and-trade deal that includes Kuminga and Lakers guard Jaden Hardy.
With the ultimate NBA roster spots filling up, groups have about two months left to finish any late offseason strikes earlier than Opening Day rosters are finalized Oct. 19.