RealGM

If the Kuminga S&T talk is credible, what would a realistic return look like?

Ballpark I'm thinking Kuminga gets 112M over 4 years. In that range Lonzo+Jalen Smith jumps out to me as an interesting package. Not sure about value but that can be adjusted as needed.

Thoughts?

Two things:

First, Kuminga will have BYC status on the trade. So if his 1st year salary is $20M then he'll count as $20M in to Chicago but only $10M out from GS for salary matching. That makes deals difficult.

Second, I think Kuminga signs for much less than that. If there were a bunch of teams with cap space they didn't know what to do with then he'd get stupid money from someone, but I just don't see it this summer. I think he only gets a little over MLE money.

For a S&T to Chicago if my salary estimates are true then a simple option is for the Bulls to take Kuminga into a TPE (they appear to have 2 that are each a bit over $17M that could give a 3yr/$55M or so contract). Then the return could just be a TPE + 2nd or else Jalen Smith (if GS sends out a min salary at the same time they can avoid being hard-capped at the 1st apron).