The Golden State Warriors‘ offseason starts with Jonathan Kuminga.
As rumors continue to swirl around their polarizing restricted free agent, two teams have been floated as a potential landing spot for Kuminga in a sign-and-trade scenario, Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto reported on June 16.
“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,” Scotto wrote.
But even if the Warriors decide to keep Kuminga, the former lottery pick is “looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward,” Scotto noted.
The Bulls are an intriguing team for Kuminga as he fits their timeline. He can get the opportunity in Chicago with a young core that he didn’t get in a veteran-laden, win-now Warriors team. Plus, the Bulls have veteran center Nikola Vucevic, who has been on the Warriors’ radar since the trade deadline.
The Warriors were “at the front of the line” in the weeks leading to the trade deadline for Vucevic with the Bulls looking for a first-round pick in return, NBA insider Marc Stein reported in January.
Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, could interest the Bulls the same way they took a flier on Josh Giddey — taken one pick ahead of Kuminga — last offseason in exchange for veteran wing Alex Caruso.
Vucevic is on an expiring $21.5 million salary. Only half of Kuminga’s annual pay in his next contract will be counted as outgoing salary in any trade. So, the Warriors have to add salary fillers to make the math work.
Bulls Could Offer Nikola Vucevic
GettyNikola Vucevic could bring back a rising star for the Chicago Bulls in a potential offseason trade.
The Warriors balked at the cost and ultimately moved on to acquire six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline which dramatically changed the team’s outlook. They went on a massive run in the second half season before eventually falling short in the second round against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Their lack of size were exposed in the postseason, something that the Warriors will be addressing this season. While Vučević is not the prototypical big man, he is the type of center that Golden State coach Steve Kerr loves to have.
Case in point, Kerr leaned heavily on 7-foot rookie Quinten Post, who plays like Vučević, at some point this season.
On the other hand, the Heat views Kuminga as their fallback option in case their star chasing fails this offseason, according to Scotto.
“Miami has prioritized pursuits of Giannis Antetokounmpo(if he became available this summer) and [Kevin] Durant (whom they’re actively trying to acquire) on their wish list ahead of Kuminga, who’s viewed as a fallback option to the two superstars,” Scotto wrote.
Warriors Young Star Blocks Out Offseason Noise
With Kuminga entering a pivotal offseason, he’s blocked out the outside noise as he awaits what’s next in his young career.
The 22-year-old Warriors forward has limited who can comment on his Instagram account as he posted several photos of himself working out.
Kuminga is looking forward to building on his prolific showing in the Warriors’ second-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In his final four games of the season and perhaps with Golden State if he’s traded, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points on 55.4% overall shooting and 38.9% from the 3-point line.
