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NBA·ANALYSIS·July 21, 2026 08:56 PM ET

Cavaliers target Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade as LeBron James backup plan

Los Angeles recently balked at a $45M deal for the forward.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 221 min read
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What happened: The Cleveland Cavaliers will pursue a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga if they fail to land LeBron James, according to Fedor. Kuminga currently stands as the primary contingency plan for a front office waiting on James' decision.

Why it matters: Cleveland's interest emerges as the Los Angeles Lakers are unwilling to surrender draft capital in a $45 million sign-and-trade for Kuminga. The Lakers already hold 16 guaranteed contracts, potentially opening the door for the Cavaliers to acquire the 23-year-old.

What to watch: Kuminga's landing spot likely depends on whether James signs with Cleveland.

Sources

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NBAAnalysisCleveland CavaliersJonathan KumingaLebron James
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