Report: Bulls Interested In Warriors Restricted Free Agent Jonathan Kuminga

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Chicago Bulls are interested in Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga becomes a restricted free agent this offseason. 

“It does seem, at this juncture, that the most likely outcome for the Warriors’ restricted free agent swingman is a return to Golden State,” Fischer wrote. “However, sources say that Chicago has an ongoing interest in the 22-year-old forward. This tracks with past interest that the Bulls have shown in Kuminga in previous trade discussions with Golden State over the past two seasons involving players such as Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.”

Kuminga appeared in 47 games for the Warriors this season. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 66.8% from the foul line. 

A one-time NBA champion, Kuminga turns 23 in October. He has career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

According to NBA insider Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Kuminga “has visions of becoming an All-Star.” Is that possible playing alongside Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who take a ton of shots?

Maybe. Maybe not. 

“Kuminga, league sources said, still has visions of becoming an All-Star, not fitting into an ever-moving mid-tier rotation role. He wants to be a featured player in an NBA offense and chase the 20-point-and-beyond dreams he’s spent his life chasing and the last week of his fourth season tasting,” Slater wrote. 

The Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of this year’s playoffs in five games, while the Bulls missed the postseason for the third straight year. 

Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1 of the Timberwolves series and never returned. Without Curry, the Warriors lost four games in a row after winning Game 1 in Minnesota.