NBA Rumors: Lakers, Jonathan Kuminga, Heat, Nick Richards, Nuggets

Lakers

The Timberwolves are a team to watch for Jonathan Kuminga, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, while the Lakers also remain in the picture.

Windhorst said Los Angeles still has a potential path to a sign-and-trade built around Jaden Hardy.

“There’s still a window there for the Lakers to do a Kuminga sign-and-trade using Jaden Hardy,” Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast.

The Hawks have also been mentioned as a possibility to bring back Kuminga, though Windhorst expressed skepticism about Atlanta taking back enough salary to make a deal work. The Hawks are already within roughly $4 million of the luxury-tax line.

Cleveland had been among the teams pursuing Kuminga before acquiring Peyton Watson from Denver, taking one more potential destination off the board.

Heat

Klay Thompson apparently isn’t the end of Miami’s offseason work.

Thompson is expected to join the Heat on a two-year deal worth approximately $13 million after agreeing to a buyout with Dallas. He would give Miami 13 players on standard contracts.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports free agent center Nick Richards has emerged as a player of “considerable interest” for the 14th spot.

Richards has been working out with Heat players in Miami, though he reportedly has offers from multiple teams.

Miami is looking to add another big man, either a center or power forward, and Jackson reports at least two other unidentified centers are under consideration.

The Heat could also wait to see which veterans shake loose before the Aug. 31 stretch-provision deadline.

Nuggets

DeRozan had plenty of choices before settling on Denver.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports DeRozan spoke with the Heat, Wizards and Pelicans, while Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports the Cavaliers and Pistons were also among the teams he seriously considered.

Miami’s Bam Adebayo recruited DeRozan for several weeks, but the Heat ultimately prioritized Thompson.

Denver had its own recruiting committee. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon were all involved, with Gordon and assistant coach Jared Dudley reportedly playing particularly significant roles.

DeRozan ultimately accepted a one-year, $3.88 million minimum deal despite potentially having more lucrative options elsewhere.

The Nuggets reportedly promised him a significant role and sold the 37-year-old on the opportunity to contend.

After losing Watson to Cleveland, Denver wanted another player capable of creating offense. They certainly found one.

MORE HOOPS | NBA free agents by position