The Chicago Bulls are looking to shake up their roster and prioritize youth in a bid to escape their perennial mid-tier status in the Eastern Conference. After trading Zach LaVine last season, the Bulls are now eyeing a bold move to acquire Golden State Warriors’ young forward Jonathan Kuminga, according to Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report.
Kuminga, who will be just 23 years old at the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, represents an ambitious target for Chicago. As a restricted free agent, Kuminga’s potential sign-and-trade deal comes with logistical challenges due to base-year compensation rules. In such a deal, Kuminga’s full new salary would count for the acquiring team, but only half would count for the Warriors, making the financials tricky to navigate.
The Bulls are already expected to commit significant money to their own restricted free agent, Josh Giddey, despite concerns about his defensive limitations and lack of a robust market. Critics argue this could be a risky long-term move, especially given Chicago’s history of overspending on players like Patrick Williams in similar situations. However, Hughes suggests that if the Bulls are willing to invest in Giddey, a member of the 2021 NBA Draft lottery, they might as well double down by targeting Kuminga, who was selected just one pick later.
Kuminga’s elite athleticism, ability to create his own shot, and knack for drawing free throws could complement Giddey’s playmaking while addressing some of his defensive shortcomings. Together, the two young talents could form a dynamic core for a Bulls team that seems reluctant to fully rebuild. Instead of chasing another 42-win season with an aging roster, Chicago could shift focus to developing players in their early 20s with significant upside.
To make a deal for Kuminga work, the Bulls could explore moving veterans like Nikola Vucevic or even Patrick Williams to clear salary and create room for the Warriors’ rising star. While the trade remains speculative, it signals Chicago’s intent to get younger and build for the future.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on the Bulls to see if they can pull off this blockbuster move and land Kuminga, a player with the potential to redefine their trajectory.