The NBA offseason continues to churn as teams adjust rosters and target free agents. The Minnesota Timberwolves have entered the mix for forward Jonathan Kuminga. While Minnesota seeks a starting power forward to round out their lineup, financial constraints make a deal complicated. They lack the salary cap room to match the 15 to 20 million dollar annual salary Kuminga reportedly seeks, as they sit close to the second apron.
Other teams are also watching the Kuminga situation closely. The Lakers and Cavaliers have presented significantly higher financial offers than the Timberwolves. However, those potential landing spots would likely involve sign-and-trade scenarios and come with no guarantee of a starting role for the forward.
Trade discussions regarding Bennedict Mathurin are also active. Several teams, including the Pelicans, Bulls, Bucks, and Mavericks, have expressed interest in a sign-and-trade deal for the Clippers swingman. The Pelicans are particularly aggressive, as they explore clearing cap space by trading Jordan Hawkins to potentially accommodate Mathurin.
The Memphis Grizzlies face a roster crunch with 19 standard contracts currently on their books. To alleviate this, they expect to move D’Angelo Russell and AJ Johnson before the season begins. The team also may release Taj Gibson to reduce their numbers, though they remain committed to retaining Olivier-Maxence Prosper after his productive stretch last season.
Contract negotiations are moving forward for James Harden and the Cavaliers. Reports indicate both sides are working in harmony on a multi-year deal. Representatives for Harden are weighing both two-year and three-year contract structures as the veteran guard prepares for the upcoming season.