Who needs the LeBron James sweepstakes when the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes exist? The Los Angeles Lakers have known for weeks that the 41-year-old wouldn't return, and after making a flurry of roster moves, they have their sights set on the 23-year-old. James might've complicated that even more for LA, though.
Like Los Angeles, Cleveland is interested in Kuminga, but the Cavaliers were waiting to see how things would shake out with LeBron before they did anything else. Now that they know he chose the Sixers over them, they can put their sole focus on working something out with the wing, who had been labeled as their backup plan if they missed on the superstar.
If Cleveland and Kuminga agree to a deal, it certainly wouldn't be the end of the world for Los Angeles. It's not like he's LeBron James, or anything!
But in all seriousness, there are already question marks surrounding Kuminga, like with the kind of money he's seeking and his fit, and, most importantly, would it work out?
Clearly, the questions haven't been enough to keep the Lakers away, as ESPN's Anthony Slater said on Thursday that Rob Pelinka keeps calling about Kuminga. He may need to up those phone calls to every minute, not every other minute.
Cavaliers can pivot to Kuminga now that LeBron is off the table
The league was waiting on the LeBron domino to fall, including Kuminga, and now that it has, his decision should happen soon.
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported earlier this week that Max Strus and Dennis Schroder were "potential trade candidates" for Cleveland in its pursuit of James and Kuminga.
The Cavaliers could clear the space to sign the wing by trading either player, specifically Strus, as he's the more desirable player. It'd be a desperation move for an unproven guy, but that's the mode Cleveland is in with LeBron choosing to go elsewhere, hoping to create some kind of win out of this.
What's next for Kuminga will be up to him. He may value money the most, or a combination of that and fit. The decision he makes will be pivotal for his future, as he's yet to prove that he's the kind of player he thinks he can be, going back to his time in Golden State.
Cleveland could especially try to sell him on becoming that player in Northeast Ohio, though he couldn't fill the void that the Cavaliers hoped LeBron would occupy.
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