Sources: Cavs Remain Interested in Jonathan Kuminga After Mario Hezonja Signing

The Cleveland Cavaliers remain interested in signing Jonathan Kuminga, Cavs Roundtable has learned. Cleveland agreed to terms with Mario Hezonja on Sunday for one year and $2.8 million.

Contract length has become the obstacle in Kuminga's market. A sign-and-trade requires a three-year deal under the collective bargaining agreement. Kuminga's position is that he will take less than his asking price only on a one-year contract.

Kuminga is seeking somewhere between $20 million and $23 million a season. Jake Fischer has reported the figure is closer to $25 million.

Cleveland sits roughly $25.3 million under the first apron and just under $38 million under the second. The Cavaliers can start Kuminga at $6.1 million on the taxpayer mid-level exception, which comes to $12.4 million across two years. Using the exception hard-caps Cleveland at the second apron. Max Strus is owed $16 million this season and Dennis Schröder $14.7 million. Both contracts expire next summer.

The Los Angeles Lakers face complications in their path to completing a sign-and-trade for Kuminga. The Atlanta Hawks have been reluctant to take back Jarred Vanderbilt in a sign-and-trade, and a third team may be needed. Rob Pelinka and Lakers coach JJ Redick have met with Kuminga. 

Atlanta declined Kuminga's $24.3 million option in June. He has been an unrestricted free agent since, the first time in his career he has reached the open market.

Golden State took Kuminga seventh overall in 2021, and the Warriors won the championship in his rookie season. His best year came in 2023-24. He averaged 16.1 points on 52.9% shooting that season.

Kuminga appeared in 20 games for Golden State last season and started 13 of them. He averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. A bone bruise in his left knee, suffered at Dallas on Jan. 22, ended his time with the Warriors.

Golden State traded Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis on Feb. 5. He did not debut for the Hawks until after All-Star weekend. Across 16 games in Atlanta, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.1 minutes. Atlanta lost to the New York Knicks in the first round. Kuminga shot 5-of-24 from 3-point range in that series.

Cleveland has been looking for wing help since Dean Wade left. Wade started 14 of the Cavaliers' 18 playoff games at small forward last spring and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this month for four years and $39 million. Larry Nance Jr. is with the Indiana Pacers on a one-year, $3.9 million deal. Keon Ellis went to the Brooklyn Nets for two years and $18 million.

Strus projects as the starter on the wing. He is 30 and listed at 6-foot-5, and a Jones fracture in his left foot cut into his 2025-26 season. Jaylon Tyson is the other option in the building. Tyson is 23, stands 6-foot-6, and shot 23.7% from 3-point range across 17 playoff games.

Hezonja is 31 and last appeared in an NBA game during the 2019-20 season, with the Portland Trail Blazers. Real Madrid signed him in 2022. He won a EuroLeague title there and was named Liga ACB MVP for 2025-26.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was Steve Kerr's lead assistant in Golden State for Kuminga's first three seasons. Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, is from Northeast Ohio. Kuminga spent part of the 2025 offseason training in Cleveland.

"Jonathan likes the Cavs, likes (coach) Kenny Atkinson, and (star) Donovan Mitchell likes him," Turner told The Athletic last week.

Cleveland has 13 guaranteed contracts with more offseason business to get done. James Harden declined a $42.3 million player option on June 29 and is working through a new multiyear deal with the team. Thomas Bryant re-signed for one year and $3.5 million. The 2026-27 trade deadline falls in February.