Everybody knows the Chicago Bulls aren’t really in a position to make a blockbuster move. However, Arturas Karnisovas also isn’t opposed to taking a calculated swing on players he feels fit the team’s vision. They must be younger, athletic, but still possess a degree of experience. That is why the Bulls traded for Josh Giddey when they began reshaping the roster. High hopes remain for Matas Buzelis. Still, it feels like they need another prominent name to help bring things together. That is where Jonathan Kuminga comes in.
The 22-year-old forward has reached a crossroads with the Golden State Warriors. He is a restricted free agent, meaning other teams are free to negotiate with him. The widespread belief is that Kuminga wants to be a starter. That can’t happen in Golden State with Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green already there. His excellent postseason reminded everybody of his considerable potential. According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Warriors may have no choice but to consider a sign-and-trade, with two teams being involved.
The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype. With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga, sources said.
Nikola Vucevic would likely go back for Jonathan Kuminga.
The Warriors had expressed some interest in him last season. While it never materialized, that idea will be revisited if the Bulls get serious about Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State still lacks a true presence at center. Vucevic might not be the best defender, but he would give them much-needed offensive firepower in the paint and extra rebounding. Meanwhile, Chicago gets a young player who scored at least 30 points in four of the eight games where he logged at least 30 minutes on the court. He’d make for a great presence alongside Buzelis in the frontcourt, allowing Karnisovas to focus on finding a new center or help at shooting guard. Much of this depends on whether the Warriors feel they can retain Kuminga at an affordable price or not.
