Kuminga's asking price has dropped again! It is currently between $14 million and $16 million per year, with the Lakers and Cavaliers as the two potential landing spots.

On July 31, Beijing time, well-known reporter Siegel indicated that Kuminga's desired annual salary range has fallen again, now between $14 million and $16 million.

Notably, in 2024 when Kuminga was negotiating an early extension with the Warriors, his salary demand was as high as $35 million, and by the summer of 2025 it had dropped to $30 million. At the beginning of this offseason, his asking price was $20 million, but now it has fallen to the range of $14 million to $16 million.

Siegel said, "There are only two teams interested in Kuminga: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Personally, I believe Kuminga will end up joining the Lakers, whether he directly accepts the Lakers' two-year, $20 million offer or gets a higher salary through a sign-and-trade. However, the salary gap is the key reason why Kuminga's free agent negotiations are currently at a standstill."

Siegel added that Kuminga's salary expectations are the biggest obstacle to reaching an agreement. "He doesn't want to accept a contract below the mid-level exception, and his target annual salary range is locked in at $14 million to $16 million."

Siegel stated that the Lakers remain the frontrunners to sign Kuminga. There are two options for the Lakers: either directly finalize the two-year, $20 million offer, or increase Kuminga's salary through a sign-and-trade. The Cavaliers are also continuing to monitor the situation.

Kuminga possesses athleticism, size, and versatile defensive skills, making him the most sought-after player among the remaining free agents. At 23 years old, he not only has long-term potential but also offers immediate impact, capable of contributing to a playoff-caliber team right away.

The Lakers and Cavaliers are still actively pursuing negotiations. Whether Kuminga will hold firm on his desired salary range of $14 million to $16 million per year will determine when this highly anticipated free agent saga of the offseason comes to a close.