The rumored Jonathan Kuminga–Josh Giddey double sign-and-trade is dead on arrival.
According to ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel, the Golden State Warriors are not actively pursuing the Chicago Bulls‘ star point guard despite their reported interest, citing team sources from both organizations.
“Although interest from other teams may exist, the Warriors are not actively pursuing Giddey this offseason, team sources from both organizations confirmed. The Bulls have not held sign-and-trade talks with the Dubs regarding Giddey and Kuminga, a scenario that would be very difficult for both teams to solve financially,” Siegel reported on Aug. 11.
Both Kuminga and Giddey are in stalemates with their respective teams, leading to the speculation that they could be traded for each other.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Bleacher Report’s “NBA Insider Notebook” livestreamed on Aug. 7 that the Warriors would be interested, “depending on how the machinations could go in some type of Josh Giddey-Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade.”
Fischer noted that the Warriors’ interest in Giddey dates back to the 2021 NBA draft.
“To my understanding, the Warriors were prepared on draft night way back in 2021 for Jonathan Kuminga to go no. 6 to Oklahoma City and they were ready to take Josh Giddey at no. 7,” Fischer said.
But the Thunder picked Giddey and the Warriors ended up with Kuminga, who never found his footing in Steve Kerr’s system.
Josh Giddey’s Selfless Game Fits Warriors’ System
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty ImagesJosh Giddey would have been a perfect fit for the Golden State Warriors.
The pass-first Giddey would have a better chance of thriving under Kerr.
Giddey, whom the Bulls landed in a one-on-one trade for Alex Caruso, a former Warriors’ trade target, flourished last season in Chicago.
The Australian point guard averaged a career-high 7.2 assists to go with 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He also shot a career-best 37.8% from the 3-point line, which has been his weakest link since he entered the NBA and factored in the Thunder’s decision to trade him.
Giddey’s breakout season made the Warriors more interested in the 6-foot-8 point guard.
“I can report that there have been multiple teams that have reached out to Josh Giddey’s representation about their interest. Golden State is one of them,” Fischer continued.
Like Kuminga and the Warriors, Giddey is also having a staring down contest with the Bulls.
Giddey has been looking for $30 million in annual salary, according to Fischer, but the Bulls have only discussed an offer with $20 million per year.
Siegel reported that “all indications” point to Giddey and the Bulls finding common ground on a new deal before the season tips off, citing league sources.
Jonathan Kuminga Wants a Player Option
Kuminga refuses to accept the Warriors’ standing offer because he doesn’t want to cede full control of his future to a team he believes had stunted his growth, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater.
Fischer added that the only way Kuminga will accept the Warriors’ deal is if they amend it.
“I think that Jonathan Kuminga’s side would take this one-plus-one situation with Golden State, this two-year, $45 million offer that’s been on the table if he were to get a player option in year two,” Fischer said on Bleacher Report’s “NBA Insider Notebook” livestreamed on Aug. 7. “But I was told yesterday (Aug. 6) from various sources that Golden State is going to be holding firm that the second year is going to be a team option. And that’s kind of where the staring contest is at.”
Kuminga’s camp has presented a three-year offer worth $82 million in one of their several meetings in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League, according to Charania and Slater. But the Warriors didn’t budge.
