The Chicago Bulls' trade deadline decisions have left many scratching their heads, especially in light of Jonathan Kuminga’s electrifying debut with the Atlanta Hawks. Kuminga, who was picked up from the Golden State Warriors, made an immediate impact with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, shooting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc-all in just 24 minutes of play.
The Bulls had shown interest in Kuminga as far back as last season. Executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas had even expressed admiration for the young forward multiple times. Yet, instead of securing Kuminga, the Bulls traded away key players like Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nikola Vucevic, receiving a mix of guards and second-round picks in return.
While there's always hope that one of these picks could turn into a player like Draymond Green or Khris Middleton, none of the new additions have matched the immediate impact Kuminga provided for Atlanta.
The Hawks capitalized on an opportunity that the Bulls passed up, acquiring Kuminga-once a top-seven pick-alongside Buddy Hield from the Warriors for an injured Kristaps Porzingis. This move by Hawks GM Onsi Saleh demonstrated a keen eye for potential, as Kuminga quickly showcased his athletic prowess and scoring versatility.
Kuminga's past performances, such as stepping up during the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals, where he averaged 20.8 points and impressive shooting percentages, highlight his ability to lead an offense. His debut with the Hawks only reinforced his potential as a game-changer.
Meanwhile, the Bulls' trade deadline moves have yet to pay dividends. While Karnisovas deserves some credit for shifting focus from chasing the play-in tournament to rebuilding, the absence of Kuminga looms large. The new additions, including Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Jaden Ivey, and Rob Dillingham, bring potential but haven't delivered the immediate spark Kuminga has shown.
In the end, the Bulls missed out on a low-risk, high-reward opportunity with Kuminga, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.