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APHoops: The Bucks and Clippers have remained active in their pursuits of restricted free agent Peyton Watson, but a resolution may not come until early September as Watson and his agent, Rich Paul, are willing to remain patient, per @JakeLFischer. Atlanta “was involved.” Cleveland is interested in both Kuminga and Watson. (via @BleacherReport)

Sam Yip: Trey Murphy on why he decided to take on a leadership role with @TheNBPA: I had two great vets that were very instrumental in my basketball career. And they were on the executive board, CJ [McCollum] being the former president. And they were just like, you fit what we would need. For a while, I was just like, I don’t think I’m ready for that. I want to make the main thing the main thing, worry about basketball, worry about getting a good foundation. And Garrett [Temple], it was two people that were trying to nominate me, and I just felt like I was called to do it, so it was my job to answer the call. I think the thing is I’m able to talk to people. I voice my opinions very well, and I look at things very differently than a lot of players. Just mainly because I didn’t know for sure I was going to be in the NBA growing up. I’ve had every role. Like I’ve been the guy that didn’t play my rookie year. I’ve been the guy that just came off the bench. Then the guy has just been a starter, and now I’ve got to point where I’m one of the better players on the team. So I just have different perspectives on different things.

Etienne Catalan: Aaron Wiggins will wear No. 2 for the #Hawks. Number last worn by Keaton Wallace in 2026. Wallace will wear something else, still TBD. #NBA

Michael Scotto: The New Orleans Pelicans and Caleb Houstan have agreed to a one-year deal, league sources told @hoopshype. He’ll compete for the final Pelicans roster spot after shooting 52.4% from 3-point range with the Hawks last season. He reunites with former Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.

Chet Holmgren, an All-Star big man set to enter his fourth season with the Thunder, offered best wishes to Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, who left Oklahoma City in separate offseason trades. Dort, a perimeter stopper and longtime starter, and Wiggins, a reserve wing, will join the Atlanta Hawks. Joe, a backup shooting specialist, was sent to the Detroit Pistons. "That's how the business of this game goes," Holmgren said at a USA Basketball Foundation charity event in Southern California. "No team, all 17 guys, sticks together forever. But it doesn't make it hurt less when you see guys go. At the same time, I'm excited for [Dort and Wiggins] and the opportunity they're going to have in Atlanta. I'm happy for whatever major milestones they reach over there."
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Etienne Catalan: Ryan Nembhard ( @rnembhard0 ) will wear No. 12 for the #Hawks. Number last worn by N’Faly Dante in 2026. #NBA

Amid active sign-and-trade interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, along with the possibility of re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks, another suitor has expressed interest in free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. After missing out on their pursuit of LeBron James, the Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed interest in Kuminga with their starting power forward spot up for grabs and their $6.06 million taxpayer mid-level exception available for the taking, league sources told HoopsHype.

The Denver Nuggets remain interested in retaining restricted free agent forward Peyton Watson amid sign-and-trade interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers. Denver’s price tag in any sign-and-trade scenario has shifted to at least one first-round pick and one notable player, per multiple reports, and confirmed by HoopsHype.

Sources say the 23-year-old Kuminga wants an annual deal in the $15-20 million range, which would necessitate a sign-and-trade with Atlanta involving either swingman Max Strus or Dennis Schroder. The Hawks, already with 17 players on the roster and incredibly close to the luxury tax, would have to cooperate — and actually want what Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers or Milwaukee Bucks are willing to offer in a sign-and-trade.

The Cavs, sources say, have been in touch with Kuminga’s representatives throughout the week, trying to determine whether there is a realistic financial pathway to a deal and what it would cost — both in salary and roster subtractions. With the Cavaliers’ current cap situation, any sign-and-trade would create a hard cap at the first apron.
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NBABase: Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are actively pursuing Jonathan Kuminga via sign-and-trade, per @ShamsCharania "Whatever deal could happen will likely be a sign-and-trade. So that's where both the Lakers and Cavs would need the Hawks to work with them on a Kuminga deal. They would also have to get Kuminga on the same page with them all in a potential deal."

Michael Scotto: The New Orleans Pelicans and Christian Koloko have agreed to a one-year deal, league sources told @hoopshype. He’ll compete for the final Pelicans roster spot after stints with the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks in the last four seasons.

Etienne Catalan: 2-way contract Jett Howard (@JettHoward5) will wear No. 9 for the #Mavericks. Number last worn by Ryan Nembhard in 2026. #NBA

To answer a popular question in our Substack Chat room: Sources say that the Hawks have indeed made their interest in Jarrett Allen known to Cleveland for some time, but I'm told that Cleveland still has not entertained moving its starting center.