The Bulls expressed interest in Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during past trade talks and could be a candidate for a sign-and-trade deal to land the restricted free agent, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). Sources tell Stein that Chicago inquired about Kuminga during discussions that involved Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
Fischer states that re-signing with the Warriors appears to be the most likely outcome for Kuminga, but cautions that it’s hard to predict his potential market until the Suns decide where they’re trading Kevin Durant. Fischer hears that Kuminga could be among several players the Heat plan to target if they don’t land Durant, echoing a report earlier this week from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who mentioned Chicago and Miami as potential sign-and-trade destinations for Kuminga.
Fischer adds that Kuminga will probably need a sign-and-trade to change teams because the Nets, the only current club with significant cap space, don’t appear to be interested, nor do the Pistons, who could theoretically create enough room to make a competitive offer, or the Hawks, who have a $25MM trade exception from the deal that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans last summer.
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. will meet with the media on Monday, and Fischer expects Kuminga’s future to be a prominent topic.
Fischer shares more inside information from around the NBA:
- “Numbers-crunchers” who talked to Fischer expect Sixers free agent guard Quentin Grimes to get offers in excess of the $14.1MM non-taxpayer’s midlevel exception. Grimes turned into a potent scoring threat after being acquired from Dallas in February, averaging a career-high 21.9 PPG in 28 games. The financial experts that Fischer consulted expect Philadelphia to be able to afford to keep Grimes, although the team’s financial situation will be affected by what Kelly Oubre, Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond do with their player options.
- After acquiring the No. 16 pick from Orlando in last weekend’s Desmond Bane trade, the Grizzlies could opt to move up or down by draft night, sources tell Fischer. He hears that the team’s priority with any moves will be to create enough financial flexibility to renegotiate and extend Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s contract and to re-sign free agent forward Santi Aldama.
- With four first-round picks and a ton of cap space, the Nets have a chance to be the league’s most active team on draft night. Fischer suggests that one option will be to facilitate deals by taking on unwanted contracts and then try to flip those players for more assets ahead of next season’s trade deadline.
Overpaying Grimes is exactly what I expect Morey to do. Morey will overpay him and he will be the 4th option on the sixers and go back to be a good 2 way G(who is highly overpaid)
The very least the Nets can do is squeeze the Sixers with an aggressive offer for Grimes.
Grimes is the type of player you don’t over pay. He played on a sixer team last year that was always behind so his numbers were inflated if he played on a good team. If he gets excess of $15 million teams should back off. He is a 6th man off the bench not a star player.
Well actually he started on a sixers team that was missing 4 starters. So his value is not based on any of the factors you presented. What?
Considering the sixers and nets have done business before, doubtful. Foo foo .
On the dunc’d on mock offseason the dude running the Nets made the play of offering to take PG into cap room for #3, but the sweetener to make it happen was threatening to put a big offer on Grimes if they didnt do the deal. I thought it was both hilarious and possible.
Grimes is a perfect fit for Joel and Morey would be foolish to let him walk. With that being said IMO Grimes has limited options and his return to Philly is likely.
Warriors are in a tough spot do you extend you best young player and take a chance he still progress to a all star or given him up in a sign and trade?
Kuminga is never leading you to a chip. Look after Steph.
As usual…Kind of a broken record by now.
I’m a little surprised a Warriors fan isn’t all over maximising Steph due to age. Kuminga would be out the door when Steph and Drey are done anyways.
He has a very small chance of being a true #1 superstar, but his upside is probably more a very good #2 that you hope can learn some tricks when his athleticism fades into his 30s.
You know I’m a Kuminga guy. Thats not going to happen with Jimmy here. And as they are. Warriors are top 4 in West at best. Warriors have blown their chance to develop Kuminga right. Now he helps you most by trading him. Warriors don’t have the time now. They have to level up next year. Nets Claxton is a big move in right direction. Could even get their 2nd rd pick this year. There is a rotation guy there.
And what is the right way to develop Kuminga?
Kuminga development has nothing to do with Warriors direction. You already know what I think about that. Its over in GS for Kuminga. They are going to retool around their core. For one more run. Which is the right move now. Kuminga is their biggest trade asset. So say bye bye ….. You can watch his ascension.
If the Sixers take VJ. Then they don’t need to sign Grimes. If they draft Kon. Then they move Obrue and sign Grimes. Grimes has shown up. I don’t know who has the money to offer him a decent contract. But they should. Sixers really have a few big decisions to make. Starting with their pick……
i’m real interested to see where Grimes goes. He is ready to start imo. Solid 2way player.
You have Kon wrong. He’s not going to be a wing.