NBA Notes: Lakers, Jonathan Kuminga, Heat, Klay Thompson, Jazz

Lakers

The Cavaliers’ acquisition of Peyton Watson may have removed one significant Lakers competitor from the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes.

Cleveland had been among the teams linked to Kuminga before landing Watson in Wednesday’s five-team trade with the Nuggets, Clippers, Wizards and Hornets. Watson agreed to a four-year, $88 million contract with the Cavs, seemingly ending any chance of Cleveland making another run at Kuminga.

That could be good news for the Lakers. Ryan Ward of NBA On SI notes that Los Angeles has remained connected to Kuminga, who is still looking for a home as his restricted free agency drags deep into August.

The Lakers already made one major restricted-free-agent addition this summer, acquiring Walker Kessler from Utah. Kuminga would give them another young piece to put alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, with his athleticism and ability to finish around the basket making for an intriguing fit next to Doncic.

Ward also floated Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson as another potential Lakers target following Denver’s decision to move Watson.

Heat

The Heat’s continued interest in Klay Thompson could eventually give the Mavericks a reason to consider a buyout.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Miami could offer Thompson as much as $8 million from its mid-level exception if he becomes a free agent.

That could matter to Dallas, writes Austin Veazey of Mavs on SI. Thompson is entering the final year of his contract at roughly $17.5 million, and the Mavericks reportedly would prefer to trade him.

They also have 16 players on standard contracts and will need to get down to 15 before the regular season.

A buyout hasn’t appeared especially appealing to Dallas, which is below the luxury-tax line. But if Thompson were willing to give back a significant portion of his remaining salary knowing Miami could replace some of it, the math might become more interesting.

The Heat have made no secret of their desire to add another shooter, and Thompson certainly fits that description.

So Dallas can keep looking for a trade. Miami, meanwhile, can keep waiting.

Jazz

The Jazz received a massive haul for Walker Kessler in July. The Peyton Watson trade has only made that return look more impressive.

Utah sent Kessler to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade that brought back unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler received a four-year, $130 million contract from Los Angeles.

Compare that with what Denver received for Watson, another young restricted free agent.

The Nuggets landed Cleveland’s unprotected 2031 first-rounder and a 2032 Kings second-round pick while Watson headed to the Cavs on a four-year, $88 million deal.

Jared Koch of Jazz On SI pointed to the difference in returns as another reason Utah should feel good about its decision.

The situations weren’t identical, of course. Kessler and Watson are different players, and Denver was dealing with significant second-apron concerns. In fact, keeping Watson at his new salary reportedly would have sent the Nuggets’ projected luxury-tax bill soaring.

Still, Utah turned one restricted free agent into two unprotected firsts and two swaps. A month and a half later, that’s looking like quite a haul.