Speculation Swirls around Potential Jonathan Kuminga Trade Involving Established Winger
Looming Uncertainty for Jonathan Kuminga's Future with Golden State Warrors
Looks like Golden State Warriors' forward, Jonathan Kuminga, is gearing up for restricted free agency this off-season. The four-year veteran seems set to receive a one-year qualifying offer of $7.9 million, making him a restricted free agent. However, the cap crunch on the roster is making it tough for the Warriors to keep him, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
"Golden State is expected to tender him the qualifying offer, but their wallet's feeling a squeeze. The best strategy might be exploring a sign-and-trade," Marks hinted.
Warriors' Sign-and-Trade Dilemmas
However, Marks also highlighted two challenges in a sign-and-trade scenario. Besides Kuminga having to sign a minimum of a three-year contract with the initial season guaranteed, the Warriors can only apply 50% of his outgoing salary in trades, not the full amount. Moreover, the team is $25 million short of the first apron, preventing them from acquiring players earning above that amount unless they toss in additional salary.
With a staggering 85% of their payroll dedicated to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, the Warriors are currently below the first apron. Green's recent four-year contract extension, leaving him eligible for two more years ($36.3 and $39.2 million), further complicates matters.
Eastern Contenders in the Hunt for Kuminga
Could the Chicago Bulls capitalize on the Warriors' predicament? Though the Nets and Orlando Magic have recently been linked to Kuminga, the Bulls, according to NBA insiders, could present an intriguing possibility. The Bulls could offer the following compensation for Kuminga:
Bulls' Offer: Nikola Vucevic ($21.48 million) and Ayo Dosunmu ($7.51 million), 2025 First-Round Pick (CHI), 2027 First-Round Pick (CHI)
Warriors' Haul: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade)
While the Bulls might not bite on this deal, and if they do, the Warriors might trade away Dosunmu to prioritize key role players, it's still an intriguing proposal. The Bulls' committed salaries amount to $135 million, but they won't have cap space due to Josh Giddey's free agent hold ($25.1 million) and their first-round pick. Nonetheless, the Bulls can leverage their non-tax mid-level exception ($14.1 million), biannual exception ($5.1 million), veterans minimum, second-round pick exceptions, and trade exceptions worth $17.2 million and $2.9 million.
White's Potential Involvement
If the Warriors lose Gary Payton II to free agency, they might seek Coby White from the Bulls. Projected to earn $12.88 million in 2025-26, White is an interesting prospect for the Warriors, who are on the hunt for a mobile rim protector, frontcourt depth, and a consistent third scorer. Acquiring both Vucevic and White in a trade would quench two thirsts at once, but it'll come with a hefty price tag.
Without Kuminga in the roster, the Warriors would free up $17.5 million beneath the luxury tax. They are also $25.5 million and $37 million below both aprons. Golden State can use their $14.1 million non-tax mid-level exception, but they won't be able to surpass the first apron once the roster is full.
The Warriors, with their current financial constraints, might turn to a sign-and-trade deal for Jonathan Kuminga, as suggested by ESPN's Bobby Marks, considering the challenges involved in such a trade, such as Kuminga having to sign a minimum of a three-year contract with the initial season guaranteed and the team only being able to apply 50% of his outgoing salary in trades. Eastern contenders like the Chicago Bulls, with their non-tax mid-level exception, biannual exception, veterans minimum, second-round pick exceptions, and trade exceptions, could present an intriguing possibility for a sign-and-trade deal, offering players like Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu, along with potential future draft picks, in exchange for Kuminga. If the Warriors also lose Gary Payton II to free agency, they might pursue Coby White from the Bulls, a mobile rim protector, as they look for frontcourt depth and a consistent third scorer.
