As the Cleveland Cavs enter the final stages of free agency, they’ve been reportedly monitoring Atlanta Hawks’ Jonathan Kuminga and Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson. The Cavs are expected to re-sign James Harden soon, but could strike a potential deal to add depth at the wing position, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Cavs have been linked to Hawks’ Kuminga and Watson this summer. Now, the Cavs are seen as a potential trade suitor, as Stein noted per The Stein Line.
“After agreeing Friday to trade Schröder to Charlotte, Cleveland remains in active search of a trade to send out Max Strus as Strus enters the final year of his current contract at $16.7 million,” Stein reported.
“Completing the deal that ships out Schröder will shed nearly $7 million in salary for next season, but the Cavaliers are said to covet even more financial flexibility if they can manufacture it either for their pursuit of Nuggets restricted free Peyton Watson or Hawks unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga as well as the eventual re-signing of James Harden.”
The Cavs had reportedly been trying to trade Schröder and Max Strus for a while. Strus is expected to be offered in potential deals between now and the start of the regular season. He could be the center of a packaged offer to the Nuggets.
“Denver’s offers to Watson have been in the $70 million range over four seasons,” Stein reported. “Watson is believed to be seeking an annual average salary north of what teammate Christian Braun landed from the Nuggets last October in a five-year, $125 million rookie scale extension.”
As for Cavs’ restricted free agent James Harden, a deal is expected to be completed sometime in the near future.