NBA Notes: Cavs, Dennis Schroder, James Harden, Thunder, Cason Wallace, Bulls

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers clearly haven’t given up on landing Jonathan Kuminga or Peyton Watson. For starters, one source told Hoops Wire that the Cavs have been “knee deep” in talks revolving around both players.

Along with that, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported that Cleveland continues to explore trade possibilities involving Dennis Schroder, with the idea of creating additional financial flexibility for a potential move.

Finding a trade partner hasn’t been particularly easy.

Schroder is owed $14.8 million this season and another $15.5 million in 2027-28, and teams have been reluctant to take on the remaining two years of his contract.

Kuminga and Watson remain among the notable restricted free agents still available, though either would require some financial maneuvering by Cleveland.

Meanwhile, James Harden‘s attorney confirmed that the Cavs guard completed the required community service before his misdemeanor gun charge was dismissed Friday.

Attorney Rusty Hardin told Kathleen Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle that Harden was cooperative with officers and described the outcome as a routine resolution.

“There is nothing unusual that happened here,” Hardin said.

Thunder

Cason Wallace could be asked to do considerably more for the Thunder next season.

Oklahoma City moved Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort in separate cost-cutting trades this offseason, potentially opening the door for Wallace to take on a larger offensive role.

Rylan Stiles of Thunder On SI believes Wallace’s development could be particularly important.

Wallace said after last season that he enjoyed getting additional opportunities with the ball when injuries struck Oklahoma City’s backcourt in February.

“That was fun, having the ball and just being able to showcase my game,” Wallace said.

Still, Stiles argues Wallace’s outside shooting may be even more important.

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams handling much of the creation, Oklahoma City needs dependable shooters around them.

Wallace made 41.9 percent of his threes as a rookie, but slipped to 35.6 percent in his second season and 35.1 percent last year.

He’s also eligible for a rookie-scale extension this offseason, giving Wallace another potentially important storyline heading into his fourth NBA season.

Bulls

The Bulls probably aren’t going to be good enough to contend next season.

But Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times doesn’t believe they’ll be bad enough to land at the absolute bottom of the NBA, either.

Cowley ranks Chicago’s current roster 25th in the league, ahead of the Pelicans, Nets, Bucks, Grizzlies and Kings.

The Bulls added two first-round picks in Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, along with veteran guard Norman Powell in free agency.

Powell’s contract includes a team option for a second season, which could also make him an attractive trade candidate for contenders around February’s deadline.

Cowley’s larger point is that Chicago may have added enough talent to stay out of the league’s three-team “relegation zone,” which would cost the Bulls a ping pong ball in next year’s draft lottery.

That’s not exactly planning a championship parade.

But for a team still trying to sort out its longer-term direction, it could mean Chicago is a little more competitive than some expect.