The Cleveland Cavaliers are unlikely to come away with both Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson before the start of the 2026-27 season, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor. While the Cavaliers have been linked to both athletic forwards this offseason, Fedor reported that acquiring the pair is “highly unlikely,” with even landing one of them presenting significant challenges because of the team’s salary cap situation and limited trade assets.
Cleveland enters the offseason from a position of strength after finishing 52-30, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, before advancing to the conference finals. The Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors and top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the playoffs but were swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
The franchise’s primary offseason priority has already been accomplished. Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year supermax extension worth up to $273 million, ensuring the Cavaliers keep their All-NBA guard under contract through at least the 2029-30 season. However, that commitment also leaves Cleveland operating with one of the league’s highest payrolls, limiting its flexibility in the trade market.
Those financial constraints are particularly relevant in the pursuit of Kuminga. The 23-year-old restricted free agent is expected to require a sign-and-trade after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option. Such a deal would require Atlanta’s cooperation while Cleveland would need to assemble a package attractive enough despite its limited collection of draft assets.
Competition for Kuminga has also intensified. The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have the strongest financial offer currently on the table, while the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as another serious suitor after reshaping their roster around Anthony Edwards and newly acquired All-Star LaMelo Ball.
Kuminga remains one of the most intriguing young forwards on the market. He averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field in 16 games with Atlanta following his midseason move from the Golden State Warriors. His broader résumé is equally attractive, highlighted by a 16.1-point average on 52.9% shooting during the 2023-24 campaign with Golden State.
Watson presents a different challenge. The Denver Nuggets are working to retain the restricted free agent after his breakout season, although doing so could force them into additional cost-cutting moves elsewhere on the roster. Marc Stein recently reported that Denver may need to make a trade if Watson remains with the team.
The 23-year-old forward averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range in 54 games last season. Denver has reportedly offered Watson a five-year contract worth approximately $70 million, while his representatives are believed to be seeking a deal closer to the five-year, $125 million extension Christian Braun received.
Even if Denver ultimately becomes willing to discuss Watson, Cleveland would still face the same financial hurdles affecting its pursuit of Kuminga. The Cavaliers remain deep into the luxury tax after building around Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, making it difficult to absorb another sizable contract without sacrificing rotation players or future assets.
