The Chicago Bulls are looking to reignite their interest in the Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga. They already wanted to get him in 2024, but they want to get him again a year later.
Jonathan Kuminga is one of the Golden State Warriors’ most interesting players. He has elite physical traits and good natural talent. However, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr does not seem to be his biggest fan.
Kuminga himself is an inconsistent player, but his ceiling is sky-high. With Jimmy Butler’s arrival and subsequent contract extension, Kuminga is in a tough spot. He wants to be a starter, but he won’t get those minutes behind Butler and Draymond Green.
The best path is a trade that puts him in a good situation and provides a good package for the Warriors. Unfortunately, they almost traded him for Alex Caruso, but the Chicago Bulls sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Bulls want to maximize Kuminga’s potential
Dating back to the 2024 trade deadline, the Bulls have wanted Kuminga on their roster. He is a talented forward with elite athleticism. Kuminga is a natural scorer; however, he does not fit with the Warriors.
The talent is there, but Golden State is not the right place to get the most out of his game. He can play well on the big stage, as shown by his eight-game postseason stretch in 2025. Kuminga scored 15.3 points on 48.4% from the field and 40% from three.
He is barely scratching the surface, but that is not happening while he is with them. The Bulls are the most interested team, as they are circling back a year later.
Chicago got Josh Giddey from the Caruso trade, and his breakout shows he fits perfectly with Kuminga.
The Bulls will need to make a sign-and-trade happen if they want to follow up on their interest. However, no major move is happening with Kuminga because the market is waiting on the Kevin Durant trade.
The Durant deal will open the floodgates for the trade market
The Desmond Bane trade was an anomaly because most teams are waiting on what happens with Durant. It was an early move, as the Orlando Magic’s Eastern Conference rivals will look to counter it.
With a potential Kuminga trade, the market must be fully open before a move. The Warriors will find multiple offers, as they don’t want the Bulls and the Miami Heat as the only suitors. They want to keep their options open, so they get the best return possible.
A Durant trade to Miami opens the door for Chicago to swoop in and make this deal happen. However, the Warriors must be patient because they are waiting for the next blockbuster trade. When the coast is clear, the Warriors can capitalize on Kuminga’s rising stock and get a suitable deal.
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