The Bulls are unlikely to emerge as a viable sign-and-trade suitor for Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga after agreeing to re-sign their own RFA (Josh Giddey), according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). However, Fischer suggests that Chicago is worth keeping an eye on as a future landing spot for Kuminga, given that the Bulls project to have significant cap room beginning in 2026.
The fact that the Bulls and many other teams around the NBA should have cap space available next summer is one reason why Kuminga is “strongly considering” accepting his $8MM qualifying offer, which would allow him to hold an implicit no-trade clause for the coming season and reach unrestricted free agency in 2026, Fischer writes. While Kuminga’s preference would be to negotiate a longer-term deal, the Warriors haven’t yet seemed inclined to budge off their two-year, $45MM offer that includes a second-year team option.
Still, there’s a sense that a resolution on Kuminga might not be far off. Anthony Slater of ESPN said during an NBA Today appearance (YouTube link) that there have been “renewed efforts” this week to bridge the gap between the two sides, while Fischer says people connected to the negotiations believe there could be movement within the next week.
Here’s more from Fischer:
- The Knicks weighed the possibility of signing free agent big man Thomas Bryant but ultimately decided to prioritize depth in the backcourt and on the wing, league sources tell Fischer. The team reached non-guaranteed deals this week with Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet, and Garrison Mathews, who will each compete for a roster spot.
- Following up on his report about Sixers veterans Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr. being on the trade block, Fischer clarifies that the front office doesn’t appear to be operating with any sort of “clear-cut directive” to move either player. Trading Drummond and/or Oubre without taking back any salary would help create a more favorable cap/tax situation as Philadelphia looks to re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes.
- The Kings‘ decision to waive Terence Davis, who had a non-guaranteed contract, likely signals that they don’t expect to need his outgoing salary for matching purposes in a trade before the season, Fischer observes. “The only reason for Sacramento to have kept Davis this long was to have potentially used him in a trade,” one league source told The Stein Line.
- Celtics big man Luka Garza had hoped to suit up for Bosnia and Herzegovina at this year’s EuroBasket tournament but has yet to be cleared by FIBA, according to Fischer, who explains that Garza’s appeal will be heard after EuroBasket ends. If he gets clearance, Garza could represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2027 World Cup.
Exactly… Why would teams need to trade anything for Kuminga now when could sign him next off season as a free agent? I also don’t believe the Warriors not playing him will hurt Kuminga. Kuminga was the best the Warriors had in the playoffs just gone, not named Steph. Easily Warriors, best once Steph went down. He’s young enough and shown plenty for a team to sign long-term. If anything not playing Kuminga says more about the Warriors front office and coaching staff. They’ve really stuffed this and NO, I don’t believe Kuminga was ever offered the ridiculous contract last off season that was leaked. More than likely leaked internally by the Warriors to save face and keep up appearances. The Bulls do have Buzelis, Williams and just drafted that kid who is also similar and positions and play will overlap with Kuminga. Not to mention Koby White will be asking for $30 mil per. Chicago aren’t the only team who’ll have significant cap space though. We’re heading for a nasty breakup and a game of what he said she said. Ouch, my back, I mean, why aren’t they playing me, lols.
So far nobody has offered the warriors anything of value in trade. I highly doubt the Bulls would offer anything for him because they rather see what they got. Some team will make an offer to him once he signs that QO because it will be easy knowing a 8.9 million try out is not a big risk of players going out.
I read an interview with The Athletics beat writer for the Lakers. He was asked about a possible trade involving Kuminga and LeBron. He didn’t think it would happen. He went onto add that he thought Kuminga’s demands were a bit delusional.
@74 Teams are waiting back to see if he is worth a big contract. Right now no team thinks he is worth it.
> So far nobody has offered the warriors anything of value in trade.
arc89, how could you or any of us on this site possibly know that?
You make definitive statements about NBA front office activity like this all the time, so I have to ask:
1. Do you realize that we get a small fraction of what NBA front offices discuss, and, it’s heavily filtered that.
2. Do you realize the NBA front offices are largely prohibited from publicly disclosing such discussions?
3. Do you realize that it’s usually not in the interests of NBA front offices to disclose such information?
It’s called “TradeRumors” for a reason.
Considering how many teams have no cap wiggle room and the warriors no little wiggle room on their cap I am very sure there is not any offers coming in for Kuminga. If you were a NBA team why would trade for a guy that wants $30 million a year with very little resume backing it up. warriors have no reason to give him up for nothing. Warriors also has the inside track if he had an all star year they would pay him a good contract.
“If you were a NBA team why would trade for a guy that wants $30 million a year with very little resume backing it up”
“So far nobody has offered the warriors anything of value in trade”
I mean you actually can’t make this up.
> I am very sure there is not any offers coming in for Kuminga.
arc89, in that case, you’re clear that you’re stating your personal opinions. But that’s different from your practice of making definitive statements about front-office activity as if you have access to the complete record of what’s happened.
You may believe that everybody accepts that your statements about front-office discussions are the whole truth. But I’d offer that, at least to some of us, they make you sound very naive.
Come aristole you are sounding like a homer Go look at the teams in the NBA that have payroll to bring Kuminga in. Get back to me when you can list the teams that can fit Kuminga under their payroll. Go….. Now you see you are the one that is naive
arc89,
Here’s an example of information that we learned about the failed Paul George trade involving Kuminga AFTER the trade that had made in the works for multiple weeks fell through. What I’m saying is that we never know about these things ahead of time.
link to bleacherreport.com
I’m saying neither you nor I have any idea about what trades involving Kuminga have been discussed beyond the unofficial reports of the S+T’s to Sacramento and Phoenix.
aristole,
The reason the George trade failed was the Clippers didn’t want to trade him to the warriors. Clippers did not want to give a division rival a star player. Warrior fans says thank you for that trade.
arc89, don’t let the facts get in the way. I got it.
Facts are getting in your way. Most GMs are waiting to see what happens with Kuminga stats this year. Why trade for him if they can get him for free. Nobody wants to make a long term commitment until he proves himself.
“Facts are getting in your way” Lol.
Warriors want him to sign QO lol get it right. Just can’t let go ……. Its 7.9 mill QO. There will be takers.
Why are we still debating this. He’s gone …….
Bye bye Kuminga bye bye …..
Just because teams don’t want to give GS anything of value in a trade, it doesn’t mean that they don’t value Kuminga.
Indiana were shopping Turner for years, but apparently nobody offered them anything they were satisfied with. The moment he became an UFA, a team gave him a big long-term contract and even waived a max guy to make space.
You seem to be ignoring one very important fact. They wouldn’t have made it to the playoffs with Kuminga starting. Through the previous 82 games, he would have great games. But, his overall numbers sucked. The not play him came because they were losing why don’t you see that.
@Giants74 ok but he was given no chances to improve, unlike Podz, who stunk for months after a hot start, he did nothing to deserve the playing time he got. Meanwhile Kuminga and Moody get 1 chance then its bench for weeks. Kerr stinks at developing players. Kerr should not have a job as an NBA HC if he does not possess this vitally-necessary skill.
Exactly. Even if he signs a QO and GS bench him for the entire season, I’d want my team to give him a long-term deal next summer. The same goes for Grimes. Giddey has already signed; it would be nice if he were there in free agency too, but hey, Chicago are not that dumb.
At the same time, I don’t want my team to give GS anything of value for him in a sign-and-trade. Why do that?
> At the same time, I don’t want my team to give GS anything of value
> for him in a sign-and-trade. Why do that?
Because next summer will be too late. Keep in mind that while Kuminga has trade veto rights, that does not mean he will not be traded in the near-term if he signs the QO.
Here’s what people are missing. Kuminga and his agent have talked to multiple teams in the course of exploring S+T’s now. Those discussions were not solely about those an S+T now, but also what happens if he signs the QO So, Kuminga and his agent have a short-list of teams that have indicated a long-term interest in him. The Lakers are the team that is being mentioned. (If Kahwi is gone, I suspect the Clippers will be as well.) Kuminga will approve a trade only to a team he intends to sign a longer-term deal with next summer.
If/when the QO is signed, the Warriors and Kuminga’s camp will engage with that short-list of teams that Kuminga will approve a trade to. In other words, Kuminga won’t be available next sumer.
Why would Kuminga want to be traded on a QO? It limits the salary he can get after that. 120% of 7.9$ is the most he could get. Unless he signs with a team that has cap space, I think in that case he can sign for more.
But anyway, his contractual value would be low. Players who have 2-4 years on their deal obviously have more value than those who have a couple of months left and can leave, like DFS did. What value would GS get from that trade? Probably not much.
I won’t lose sleep if Kuminga signs with someone else next summer, not at all. But it will be good for my team if there are more good UFAs next summer to choose from and to eat into other teams’ cap space.
> Why would Kuminga want to be traded on a QO?
As with Cam Thomas, when you sign the QO, it’s not about this year or the next. It’s about breaking free from a situation that will, in your belief, prevent you from reaching your career potential, which, over 5-10-15 years can mean 100’s of millions.
You can call Thomas and Kuminga delusional, but a basic financial analysis shows it only makes sense to sign a 2 year deal in a bad situation if the player expects to play less than 5 more years in the NBA. You may say, what about the worst case where the player has a career-ending injury? But that’s not the worst case in Kuminga’s mind; rather, he’s worried about Kerr destroying his career over the next 2 years.
I’m losing you a bit here, not sure we’re arguing about the same thing or arguing at all :)
I think that Kuminga will have value for many teams even if he takes a QO and doesn’t get much playing time at GS for a year. More value than 120% of $7.9m. I’m not sure how getting traded under QO and only being able to sign for a small amount helps him.
I’m also not sure how trading him under QO helps GS. The return would likely be very small. Kerr is an overthinker, but he could use an athletic guy like JK for another year, and on a rather team-friendly contract. It would basically be another contract year for Kuminga, and there would be no politics from GS and Kerr about wanting to sign him to a team-friendly deal or make him most attractive for a trade or anything like that. It would be an honest “You give what you’ve got, and we won’t play any games either. If you’re good and helping us, you’ll play. If not, there’s no hard feelings, we don’t owe you minutes or anything else, and do whatever you want next summer”.
The Kings are Not going anywhere !! No Play Offs, No Play Ins, No where. We have a gm who refuses to do ANYTHING to improve this Roster !! Nothing !! He’s waiting and hoping for 1 single player, who is NOT coming here, Kuminga !! All the while, everyone else of any upgrades are being signed and snatched up !! If they do Not plan on putting a winning team on the floor and just settle with taking our money, just pack up and move this team elsewhere !! I’d rather cheer for the Warriors at this point of time, since they do something and at least try to make their team better !! The Kings are an Utter Joke !!
Kings gotta smash the rebuild button and trade Sabonis, Monk, Derozan, Lavine and Murray as soon as possible.
We’ve been rebuilding since they came to Sacto !! 40yrs of rebuilding is enough time with nothing to show for it !!
Kings GM is horrible. They should have kept Fox and traded him in the offseason when more teams had cap space. They should have received a lot more for him than what they got. Why did they draft Carter when he only had 1 good year in college out of 3?
Kings have a new gm btw. Thanks for playing
Same ownership that feels they are contenders when they are not.
100% agree, the Kings have the dumbest FO in the league. We all should have laughed in their face when they said they wanted Kuminga for Saric and a 2nd, like, that’s a joke, the Kings FO is a joke, the Kings still have no defensive identity.
I don’t know KHE. The Kings were a high seed just two years ago. They have the players they have the system. They have all the positions covered and they’ve tried plugging in guys that helped fill what position as they were weak.
All they need is for everything to go right for them.., injuries, Play well, etc. I wouldn’t tear it down just yet.
Gary, agree, you never know, the Kings picture could change for the better if everything goes right. Sabonis, Monk, and Lavine keep the Kings floor reasonably high. They just need 1 or 2 good guys to break through.
Case-in-point, our man Keegan Murray. After his rookie year, I thought he was a future star. But, IMO, after watching him last season, I’m afraid his future is mediocre. It’s lack of athleticism. Offenses are taking turns on him like Kendall Jenner. His shot may be pure, but defenses have figured out he can’t put the ball on the floor and he doesn’t get the looks he used to. But, if he can turn it around this season, Kings will win a bunch more games.
🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 😢😢😭😭😭😭😭😭
When will it stop ……
Have we not come to grips with Horford, Melton Payton yet. Moses Brown was just signed with Nuggets. Another one that got away. ……. Gee
I bet Al’s trade is looking real good about now ……
Brandon Clarke and a future pick ——-
Grizz will show you how to play JK. I start him day ONE. Chk in the mail please. From both teams
Warriors never wanted Moses Brown. he is a back up back up Center.
arc, when is Moses Brown a backup center?
He can’t hold onto an NBA job. How could you call him a back up center?
I said back up center for a back up center so he is a G league player.
arc, OK I see that now. Back up to the back up.
Sort of like one of my favorite phrases, “he’s two years away from being two years away” lol
Lol any kind of center is what tgey need. There is strength in numbers. Thats the true value of depth.
I’ve known Moses since HS. It’s my neighborhood. He was hurt when he was drafted. Is much better now. He has better offense than Mitch. Just needs PT. Easily a backup center imo.
“Moses Brown, another one that got away.”
The guy hasn’t been able to find a successful NBA career his entire life.
He has tantalizing potential with his size, mobility, and he can block shots and rebound when faced with lesser competition.
In the NBA he is a zero. I thought you were a big man expert, and I almost said something in the other article regarding Moses Brown, where you hyped him up, but this is wring Al.
The Warriors missed out on nothing.
Moses Brown is not an NBA player.
If you don’t believe me, just ask the GMS around the league. Tell me what they say or let me know what their actions dictate.
If they want to win, they’ll bring players in to help them win. I don’t think Moses Brown is part of that as evidenced by the facts Al.
I only talk about players I know. Imo he is worth a long look. By anyone who needs size and a center. At worst he is a backup C. Warriors should be looking at every seven footer in the world lol. There is no reason why every NBA team can’t carry a C on a 15 man roster, 12 man game roster. Just common sense to me.
Yeah, Al, you would think the Warriors would have a guy or two or three like that on their roster but for some reason, they decide not to. I can’t tell you why.
1) Convince Kuminga the 1 + team option is not such a bad idea for him personally
2) Come to terms on the 2-yr deal; get it right about in the 56-60 million range
3) Easily sell the idea of Kuminga rejoining some of his old buddies in what will be the ‘Warriors 2.0 squad’
4) Make sure Pelicans can do all the roster reshuffling necessary to pull off this late offseason STUNNER – reminiscent of the recent Towns-for-Randle-and-DiVincenzo jaw dropper
5) Sign Kuminga, then ship him – along with his newly-penned, approximately 30-mil-per RAGER of an outcome to this stalemate – and Buddy Hield to the Pelicans for the rights to Trey (trey trey and ANOTHER wide open trey with Steph as his best ever decoy) Murphy III
6) To sweeten the deal, the Warriors throw in their 2027 or 2028 first-round pick (Pelicans swap a couple seconds to the Dubs). To make the finances work out, Pelicans find a taker for Herb Jones and quickly recoup the seconds they gave up to Dubs.
7) Assuming a healthy Zion and Dejounte: HOLY CRAAAAP, Or-leeeeeeaaannzzzz!! 118-123 points a night is VERY possible. And YYEEEEAHHHHSSS, Dub Nay-shuuhhhnnn! You’ve got yourself a young gun who will fit in so much better with the old HOF core than Kuminga ever would – and fingers crossed he stays post HOF core to dazzle and delight Dub Nation for the next era of bay-sketball, alongside the likes of also-entering-their-primes Podz and Post. Oh, I LIIIIIIYYYYK iiiiiiiiiiihhhhh-tuh!!
> 1) Convince Kuminga the 1 + team option is not such
> a bad idea for him personally.
That’s a deal-breaker. But, why would they insist on it if they expect to trade him right away?
You’re way-y-y over-valuing Trey Murphy III. (This is reminding me of the Cam Johnson fetish we saw around here from this past year’s trading period.) Murphy is a nice complementary player, with a player-friendly contract at $25M/yr, but he doesn’t move the needle for GSW.
Dud,
Dumars is dangling Murphy III because NOLA’s starting lineup is set, and Murphy III projects as a $25M 6th man. He scored a lot of points last year because he played 35 mpg for a terrible team, including a huge amount of garbage time.
PG Dejounte, Fears, Alvarado
SG Poole ($33M), Hawkins
SF Herb Jones (1st Team All-Defense), Murphy, Bey
PF Zion, Queen
C Missi, Looney
Your 7-step plan rewritten:
Step 1: Lie to Kuminga.
Step 2: Negotiate contract based on that lie.
Step 3: Lie some more to Kuminga.
Step 4: Make secret plans with team to exploit the lie.
Step 5+6: Exploit the lie.
Step 7: Unforgettable Awaits!!!!!
Chicago, Your 7-step plan from Kuminga’s perspective:
Step 1: don’t go to university.
Step 2: play for a semi pro, semi amateur, semi who knows what it is, team thrown together without a real direction or plan.
Step 3: play ball.
Step 4: get drafted
Step 5+6: play ball and don’t really work on any of the facets of the game that are important for development. As my friends advise, just play my game.
Step 7: plan to leave this unfair situation and join another team where things will obviously be a lot better.
GRSW, I don’t have a Kuminga 7-step plan. I’m a Bulls fan and Kuminga is on a different team, so his performance and contract negotiations don’t hold much interest for me. And if you’ve got some personal axe to grind about Kuminga, that doesn’t interest me, either.
I just thought Chosen Dud’s post was funny.
I thought mine would be funny too.
If my response was a bit acerbic when you were just trying to have some fun, I do sincerely apologize.
It’s no problem at all. I did not take it in a bad way. It’s almost like texting. Not everything is clear so I kind of have to have some grace, or at least I try to. Not always successful.
But I appreciate this comment of Goodwill. I need to do more of that and thank you for leading by example.
By the way, I’m not totally innocent here. I do rip on Jonathan Kuminga quite a bit. So whatever that means, it’s part of the equation.
Bulls will have Kuminga wrapped up before 2026…
That roster is really starting to develop….
Trust in Karnišovas. He’s obviously a genius. It’s all coming together just like Bulls fans always knew.
Sixers could do Oubre and Drummond for Kuminga, wouldn’t be mad at that.
Maxey VJ PG Kuminga Embiid
McCain Grimes Edwards Watford Bona
Lowry Gordon and Broome
On paper if healthy a very strong side but I doubt PG and Embiid stay that way and that’s why I’d trade trade the pair of them and just go young and rebuild. Maxey McCain VJ and Kuminga would be a great starting spot
Warriors had Oubre and the system was too complicated for him to understand. warriors do not want him again,.
I think the Warriors want to get a young guy plus a first round pick in exchange at the minimum.
Two older guys might make sense on paper for the Warriors roster, especially since it’s older and has two years left to compete.
But I think they’re two step plan that started with JK is something they want to follow through on even though it’s not with JK.
So the narrative is, “Let’s bring another young guy to continue the two step plan.”
I hope that makes sense.