Bulls, Heat Considered Potential Suitors For Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga

By most accounts, Jonathan Kuminga wants more minutes. And two Eastern Conference teams may be willing to give them to him.

The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are among the teams with interest in exploring a potential sign-and-trade for the Golden State Warriors forward, league sources tell HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Kuminga, just 22, is eligible for restricted free agency in early July and is seeking a “consistent and expanded role” after another uneven season in the Bay.

The Bulls have been linked to Kuminga before. In fact, per Scotto, Chicago and Golden State held trade talks ahead of February’s deadline involving veteran big man Nikola Vucevic. While a deal never materialized, Vucevic’s contract — set to pay him $21.48 million in its final year — may again be of interest to Golden State as it looks to reshape a roster around aging stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.

Yes, Butler, the midseason acquisition that shifted the Warriors’ timeline and, frankly, the direction of their franchise. Once viewed as a long-term building block, Kuminga’s status became less certain after Butler’s arrival.

An ankle injury in January sidelined the explosive forward for two months, and by the time he returned, his role had evaporated. He didn’t see the floor in Golden State’s final regular-season game — one they had to win — and barely touched it in the playoffs.

The Bulls, on the other hand, could offer a fresh start. Vucevic, 35 in October, remains productive with averages of 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 40.2% from deep this past season.

But with Chicago expected to shift toward a younger, faster core, Kuminga fits the mold. He’d be a plug-and-play fit in Billy Donovan’s up-tempo offense and could finally get the leash he’s been looking for.

Miami’s interest, meanwhile, appears more conditional. Scotto describes Kuminga as a “fallback option” as the Heat pursue more high-profile targets — namely, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Phoenix’s Kevin Durant. Those deals remain longshots, but in the event they flame out, Kuminga could become a viable Plan C alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

The Warriors, for their part, are walking a tricky line. They’re too old to be rebuilding, too top-heavy to stand pat. They’ve already dangled Kuminga in past conversations, including a February package centered around Durant.

Now, with no extension in place and questions about his fit next to Butler, a change of scenery might benefit everyone involved.