Kuminga sign and trade Bulls interest

[Dez]

It's not the Warriors fault he hasn't learned to shoot.

[nomorezorro]

as someone who has advocated for the bulls to play hardball with their RFA, it is soooo insulting for these teams to be offering 2-year deals with team options to their guys.

no long-term stability, no ability to re-enter the market next year if you do prove yourself and boost your value, no cash beyond year one if you struggle, team still gets to trade you whenever they want. i am very skeptical of the QO as a leverage play, and even i would say "i get it" if kuminga or cam thomas went that route

[Mk0]

It's not the Warriors fault he hasn't learned to shoot.

Nah their issue with him isn't spacing. He is a big enough of a threat as a cutter (like Jimmy).

Golden State's issue with the guy is that he doesn't understand that he is supposed to give the ball BACK to Curry. He thinks he is getting a DHO when he is supposed to be passing it back and setting a screen.

[Dez]

It's not the Warriors fault he hasn't learned to shoot.

Nah their issue with him isn't spacing. He is a big enough of a threat as a cutter (like Jimmy).

Golden State's issue with the guy is that he doesn't understand that he is supposed to give the ball BACK to Curry. He thinks he is getting a DHO when he is supposed to be passing it back and setting a screen.

He's ass as a shooter which is a huge problem because he's not good enough as a slasher to compensate.

Not to mention the IQ of a potato.

[Mk0]

It's not the Warriors fault he hasn't learned to shoot.

Nah their issue with him isn't spacing. He is a big enough of a threat as a cutter (like Jimmy).

Golden State's issue with the guy is that he doesn't understand that he is supposed to give the ball BACK to Curry. He thinks he is getting a DHO when he is supposed to be passing it back and setting a screen.

He's ass as a shooter which is a huge problem because he's not good enough as a slasher to compensate.

Not to mention the IQ of a potato.

No argument about his jumper and IQ, I am just saying their biggest issue with him is BBIQ.

[Infinity2152]

Steve Kerr said it best. It's his fit with the current roster. He's sandwiched between Butler and Draymond. Neither are good shooters. Having all three starting on the Warriors at the same time is just unthinkable. They rely on the three point shot too much, it can't just be Steph and the SG. We don't need him period. We have Matas, Williams, and Noa and honestly would rather keep Ayo and re-sign him than trade him straight up for Kuminga for whatever contract Kuminga gets.

[dougthonus]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6529661/2025/08/01/jonathan-kuminga-warriors-nba-free-agency-qualifying-offer/

Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner. So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer.

As for the Kings, who last spoke with the Warriors earlier this week, team sources say they’ve offered a three-year, $63 million deal for Kuminga in a proposal that would send veteran guard Malik Monk and their 2030 first-round pick (lottery protected) to the Warriors (that deal would require the Warriors to move more salary elsewhere to stay under the first apron, likely Moses Moody or Buddy Hield). If that pick didn’t convey, then the Warriors would get the least favorable of the Kings or San Antonio’s first-round pick in 2031. Those protections have been the primary sticking point, team sources said, as the Warriors have insisted that the first-rounder be unprotected. Thus, the stalemate.

Looks like Kings / Suns offers are 21M AAV and 22.5M AAV respectively.

The Suns don't have anywhere near enough trade juice. The Kings are probably close, but GS is asking for protection to be removed (likely won't happen). Kuminga reportedly wants to go to the Kings.

[sco]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6529661/2025/08/01/jonathan-kuminga-warriors-nba-free-agency-qualifying-offer/

Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner. So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer.

As for the Kings, who last spoke with the Warriors earlier this week, team sources say they’ve offered a three-year, $63 million deal for Kuminga in a proposal that would send veteran guard Malik Monk and their 2030 first-round pick (lottery protected) to the Warriors (that deal would require the Warriors to move more salary elsewhere to stay under the first apron, likely Moses Moody or Buddy Hield). If that pick didn’t convey, then the Warriors would get the least favorable of the Kings or San Antonio’s first-round pick in 2031. Those protections have been the primary sticking point, team sources said, as the Warriors have insisted that the first-rounder be unprotected. Thus, the stalemate.

Looks like Kings / Suns offers are 21M AAV and 22.5M AAV respectively.

The Suns don't have anywhere near enough trade juice. The Kings are probably close, but GS is asking for protection to be removed (likely won't happen). Kuminga reportedly wants to go to the Kings.

Wow! That is an offer. I look forward to those crazy Kings closing that deal. Kuminga with that group will make for some high scoring affairs.

[drosestruts]

His lack of a fit with Golden State shouldn't be a detterent to us, or other team, being interested in him.

News flash - our roster doesn't have a Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler level player (or a Draymond level player).

I also strongly reject the "he's not a good enough cutter" stance being taken in this thread as well. He ranked in the 75 percentile for cuts. If you filter this down to players who have > 1 cut per game he ranks 21st in the entire NBA shooting 72% on cuts. He als goes to the line 17% of the time when cutting to the basket.

Kai Jones is 2nd in the entire NBA in cutting (points per possesion and effeciency). Can we please cut Carter and sign Kai jones??

But getting back on track. Kuminga is young. He is talented. He's still developing some areas of his game. And he's a poor fit in Golden State. All of this can be true.

He may be a poor fit here too. I just don't think we should write off Kuminga's future and potential due to the potential of Buzelis, Noa, Okoro, or Williams. None of these 4 players have established themselves as roster locks. And 22 year old players who good upside are rarely available.

[kodo]

Kings offering a 6MOY candidate and a 1st round pick is easily the best offer, GS is just intent on keeping him for trade mid season if they're refusing that.

He'll just pout, Kerr won't play him, and his value will tank. I wouldn't be surprised if they ultimately trade him for less than the Kings offer.

[dougthonus]

His lack of a fit with Golden State shouldn't be a detterent to us, or other team, being interested in him.

News flash - our roster doesn't have a Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler level player (or a Draymond level player).

I also strongly reject the "he's not a good enough cutter" stance being taken in this thread as well. He ranked in the 75 percentile for cuts. If you filter this down to players who have > 1 cut per game he ranks 21st in the entire NBA shooting 72% on cuts. He als goes to the line 17% of the time when cutting to the basket.

Kai Jones is 2nd in the entire NBA in cutting (points per possesion and effeciency). Can we please cut Carter and sign Kai jones??

But getting back on track. Kuminga is young. He is talented. He's still developing some areas of his game. And he's a poor fit in Golden State. All of this can be true.

He may be a poor fit here too. I just don't think we should write off Kuminga's future and potential due to the potential of Buzelis, Noa, Okoro, or Williams. None of these 4 players have established themselves as roster locks. And 22 year old players who good upside are rarely available.

Kuminga is a worse fit for us than GS.

The problem with Kuminga is he has no way to help you win. He has zero role playing skills and doesn't want to be a role player, and as a star player he's simply laughably bad and inadequate, so he doesn't fit at all.

[WindyCityBorn]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6529661/2025/08/01/jonathan-kuminga-warriors-nba-free-agency-qualifying-offer/

Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner. So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer.

As for the Kings, who last spoke with the Warriors earlier this week, team sources say they’ve offered a three-year, $63 million deal for Kuminga in a proposal that would send veteran guard Malik Monk and their 2030 first-round pick (lottery protected) to the Warriors (that deal would require the Warriors to move more salary elsewhere to stay under the first apron, likely Moses Moody or Buddy Hield). If that pick didn’t convey, then the Warriors would get the least favorable of the Kings or San Antonio’s first-round pick in 2031. Those protections have been the primary sticking point, team sources said, as the Warriors have insisted that the first-rounder be unprotected. Thus, the stalemate.

Looks like Kings / Suns offers are 21M AAV and 22.5M AAV respectively.

The Suns don't have anywhere near enough trade juice. The Kings are probably close, but GS is asking for protection to be removed (likely won't happen). Kuminga reportedly wants to go to the Kings.

Kings want to get even more mediocre.

[DrModesty]

His lack of a fit with Golden State shouldn't be a detterent to us, or other team, being interested in him.

News flash - our roster doesn't have a Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler level player (or a Draymond level player).

I also strongly reject the "he's not a good enough cutter" stance being taken in this thread as well. He ranked in the 75 percentile for cuts. If you filter this down to players who have > 1 cut per game he ranks 21st in the entire NBA shooting 72% on cuts. He als goes to the line 17% of the time when cutting to the basket.

Kai Jones is 2nd in the entire NBA in cutting (points per possesion and effeciency). Can we please cut Carter and sign Kai jones??

But getting back on track. Kuminga is young. He is talented. He's still developing some areas of his game. And he's a poor fit in Golden State. All of this can be true.

He may be a poor fit here too. I just don't think we should write off Kuminga's future and potential due to the potential of Buzelis, Noa, Okoro, or Williams. None of these 4 players have established themselves as roster locks. And 22 year old players who good upside are rarely available.

Kuminga is a worse fit for us than GS.

The problem with Kuminga is he has no way to help you win. He has zero role playing skills and doesn't want to be a role player, and as a star player he's simply laughably bad and inadequate, so he doesn't fit at all.

Agreed. His main skills are scoring via attacking the rim, and also drawing free throws (but he shoots them poorly).

He should be a good defender, especially with his athletic tools. But it is mostly still flashes 4 years in. Shades of Lavine in that he can't play team defense very well, gets lost on rotations and just falls asleep sometimes.

On offense, he is a dodgy shooter on pretty low volume. He gets tunnel vision very often. He is an average rebounder, maybe a little below if you play him at the 4. And he very much wants to be a big time scorer (understandable, but not good for team basketball).

Scorer who doesn't help the team in other ways is an archetype that smart teams have been fleeing from in recent years.

Kuminga is a very hard player to build around because you have to pay him $20m+, but you still need everything else. You still need a number 1 scorer (or equal level scorer if Kuminga blows up to 25 ppg). You still need the great rim protector. You still need a primary (and frankly secondary) ball handler. You still need shooting all over the place. You still need smart and versatile defenders in multiple perimeter spots. You still need plenty of rebounding.

He also plays a style that doesn't get other guys paid. He doesn't create shots for them. He doesn't cover their defensive weaknesses. He doesn't have gravity. In fact he takes shots away from others. He is a negative team defender. Opposition defenders sag off him. Add to that, him viewing himself as a star and it feels like it would be bad for the locker room long term. That doesn't even get in to Matas already coveting/needing the same role Kuminga would take.

[sco]

His lack of a fit with Golden State shouldn't be a detterent to us, or other team, being interested in him.

News flash - our roster doesn't have a Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler level player (or a Draymond level player).

I also strongly reject the "he's not a good enough cutter" stance being taken in this thread as well. He ranked in the 75 percentile for cuts. If you filter this down to players who have > 1 cut per game he ranks 21st in the entire NBA shooting 72% on cuts. He als goes to the line 17% of the time when cutting to the basket.

Kai Jones is 2nd in the entire NBA in cutting (points per possesion and effeciency). Can we please cut Carter and sign Kai jones??

But getting back on track. Kuminga is young. He is talented. He's still developing some areas of his game. And he's a poor fit in Golden State. All of this can be true.

He may be a poor fit here too. I just don't think we should write off Kuminga's future and potential due to the potential of Buzelis, Noa, Okoro, or Williams. None of these 4 players have established themselves as roster locks. And 22 year old players who good upside are rarely available.

Kuminga is a worse fit for us than GS.

The problem with Kuminga is he has no way to help you win. He has zero role playing skills and doesn't want to be a role player, and as a star player he's simply laughably bad and inadequate, so he doesn't fit at all.

Agreed. His main skills are scoring via attacking the rim, and also drawing free throws (but he shoots them poorly).

He should be a good defender, especially with his athletic tools. But it is mostly still flashes 4 years in. Shades of Lavine in that he can't play team defense very well, gets lost on rotations and just falls asleep sometimes.

On offense, he is a dodgy shooter on pretty low volume. He gets tunnel vision very often. He is an average rebounder, maybe a little below if you play him at the 4. And he very much wants to be a big time scorer (understandable, but not good for team basketball).

Scorer who doesn't help the team in other ways is an archetype that smart teams have been fleeing from in recent years.

Kuminga is a very hard player to build around because you have to pay him $20m+, but you still need everything else. You still need a number 1 scorer (or equal level scorer if Kuminga blows up to 25 ppg). You still need the great rim protector. You still need a primary (and frankly secondary) ball handler. You still need shooting all over the place. You still need smart and versatile defenders in multiple perimeter spots. You still need plenty of rebounding.

He also plays a style that doesn't get other guys paid. He doesn't create shots for them. He doesn't cover their defensive weaknesses. He doesn't have gravity. In fact he takes shots away from others. He is a negative team defender. Opposition defenders sag off him. Add to that, him viewing himself as a star and it feels like it would be bad for the locker room long term. That doesn't even get in to Matas already coveting/needing the same role Kuminga would take.

Yeah, first we haven't been rumored as being interested for quite some time. Second, if our commesurate deal is Ayo and POR 1st, I'd pass. I see the Kuminga appeal on potential, but too many red flags and holes in his game there.

[_txchilibowl_]

Kuminga on a deal starting at $23 million AAV would account for between 13-14% of your salary cap after this season, less going forward.

I'm not advocating for signing him but it's not an outrageous number you can't work around if he busts.

[sco]

Kuminga on a deal starting at $23 million AAV would account for between 13-14% of your salary cap after this season, less going forward.

I'm not advocating for signing him but it's not an outrageous number you can't work around if he busts.

I think your point is valid, but IMO you're asking him to improve a lot of things about his game (that most don't at his experience level) to be worth the deal. In a lot of ways it's like the Pat deal where we paid him on potential that may not be there.

[_txchilibowl_]

Kuminga on a deal starting at $23 million AAV would account for between 13-14% of your salary cap after this season, less going forward.

I'm not advocating for signing him but it's not an outrageous number you can't work around if he busts.

I think your point is valid, but IMO you're asking him to improve a lot of things about his game (that most don't at his experience level) to be worth the deal. In a lot of ways it's like the Pat deal where we paid him on potential that may not be there.

No doubt it's a gamble but the risk would be baked into the contract in total money and length. Those factors make him a reasonable gamble. In a less suppressed market he would easily get the deal he's likely to sign.

Guys with his athletic profile and penchant for putting the ball in the basket are hard to come by, especially at his age. If he improves look out.

[drosestruts]

Kuminga is a worse fit for us than GS.

The problem with Kuminga is he has no way to help you win. He has zero role playing skills and doesn't want to be a role player, and as a star player he's simply laughably bad and inadequate, so he doesn't fit at all.

Agreed. His main skills are scoring via attacking the rim, and also drawing free throws (but he shoots them poorly).

He should be a good defender, especially with his athletic tools. But it is mostly still flashes 4 years in. Shades of Lavine in that he can't play team defense very well, gets lost on rotations and just falls asleep sometimes.

On offense, he is a dodgy shooter on pretty low volume. He gets tunnel vision very often. He is an average rebounder, maybe a little below if you play him at the 4. And he very much wants to be a big time scorer (understandable, but not good for team basketball).

Scorer who doesn't help the team in other ways is an archetype that smart teams have been fleeing from in recent years.

Kuminga is a very hard player to build around because you have to pay him $20m+, but you still need everything else. You still need a number 1 scorer (or equal level scorer if Kuminga blows up to 25 ppg). You still need the great rim protector. You still need a primary (and frankly secondary) ball handler. You still need shooting all over the place. You still need smart and versatile defenders in multiple perimeter spots. You still need plenty of rebounding.

He also plays a style that doesn't get other guys paid. He doesn't create shots for them. He doesn't cover their defensive weaknesses. He doesn't have gravity. In fact he takes shots away from others. He is a negative team defender. Opposition defenders sag off him. Add to that, him viewing himself as a star and it feels like it would be bad for the locker room long term. That doesn't even get in to Matas already coveting/needing the same role Kuminga would take.

Yeah, first we haven't been rumored as being interested for quite some time. Second, if our commesurate deal is Ayo and POR 1st, I'd pass. I see the Kuminga appeal on potential, but too many red flags and holes in his game there.

I don't really disagree with any of these stances. If Kuminga's game doesn't grow or evolve in a positive way, who he is today isn't all that helpful.

I view him almost like a more expensive draft pick - you'd be adding someone like Kuminga for the potential of what they could be. Keep the strengths and improvements to his weaknesses and faults - and there's a good player there.

I don't view Kuminga as a finished product. If you do, I understand why he wouldn't be of interest.

[Red Larrivee]

I don't really disagree with any of these stances. If Kuminga's game doesn't grow or evolve in a positive way, who he is today isn't all that helpful.

I view him almost like a more expensive draft pick - you'd be adding someone like Kuminga for the potential of what they could be. Keep the strengths and improvements to his weaknesses and faults - and there's a good player there.

I don't view Kuminga as a finished product. If you do, I understand why he wouldn't be of interest.

Unless you're an elite talent/prospect, basketball fit matters a lot for development. An expensive, non-elite draft pick that doesn't fit your roster is an immediate poor use of money.

Kuminga is very talented, and he may not be a finished product. But, he doesn't fit with the personnel here. So, how would he develop any further than what he is? He needs a team where there is space for him to be the player he is today, and that's not Chicago.

[Chi town]

So JK will be a King for Monk and a 2030 1st.

3/63. https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/281566/Kings-Warriors-Have-Pick-Protection-As-Sticking-Point-On-Jonathan-Kuminga-Talks

Like it for the Dubs. They need that scoring punch.
Will have to trade Moody or Hield to fit under apron.

Don’t like it for the Kings unless they unload DDR.

Like it for Giddey. Don’t see him making more than JK. Establishes the market and I think we will see the other RFAs sign.