The Golden State Warriors are back in the trade conversation in a big way - and this time, it’s not just smoke. With the February 5 trade deadline on the horizon, the Warriors are shifting from a team stuck in asset limbo to one with legitimate leverage.
And at the center of it all? Jonathan Kuminga.
Just a few days ago, the chatter around Golden State was all about missed opportunities and diminishing value. Now, the narrative has flipped. Kuminga, once seen as a complicated trade chip due to timing and fit, is suddenly drawing serious interest - most notably from the Chicago Bulls.
Here’s the wrinkle: Kuminga can’t officially be moved until January 15 due to contract restrictions. But that hasn’t stopped teams from circling. According to league insiders, Golden State is expected to start exploring trade scenarios well ahead of the deadline, and Chicago is one of the franchises keeping a close eye on the situation.
The Bulls have had Kuminga on their radar for a while. His name reportedly came up in past exploratory talks involving Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. While none of those discussions gained traction at the time, the interest never really faded - and now it might be heating back up.
Chicago, currently trying to recalibrate after a strong start fizzled, is once again open to trade talks. And this time, there’s a clearer path: a potential swap of Nikola Vucevic for Kuminga.
Golden State showed interest in Vucevic last season but balked at the Bulls’ price tag. With Chicago’s season trending downward, that asking price may be more negotiable now.
Vucevic, a skilled offensive big who can stretch the floor and rebound, would give the Warriors something they’ve lacked: a reliable post presence who can also facilitate from the elbow. And for a team still trying to maximize the Steph Curry window, that kind of addition could be a game-changer.
Of course, Golden State isn’t looking to give Kuminga away. Despite some external skepticism about his trade value - including concerns about whether teams would truly offer meaningful assets for the 23-year-old forward - the market appears to be more active than expected. In addition to the Bulls, both the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings have reportedly shown interest in Kuminga, setting the stage for a possible bidding war once he becomes trade-eligible.
That’s exactly the kind of scenario the Warriors’ front office is hoping for. Rather than moving Kuminga as a depreciated asset, they’re aiming to leverage his upside, contract, and potential into a deal that brings back immediate help. It’s a classic “win-now” move for a franchise still built around an aging but still elite Stephen Curry.
For Kuminga, the next few weeks could be career-defining. He’s shown flashes of growth this season, but his fit in Golden State’s system has always been a bit uneven. A fresh start - especially in a place like Chicago, where the Bulls are clearly looking to inject youth and athleticism into their rotation - could be the right move for both sides.
On the flip side, Vucevic finds himself in a tough spot. The veteran center has been candid about the emotional toll of the Bulls’ struggles and the constant trade rumors. “It’s not always easy, to be honest with you, when the team is struggling, when you are struggling, when things are not going your way,” he said recently.
Whether or not the Bulls make a serious push remains to be seen, but league sources expect Golden State to be active listeners. With multiple teams in the mix and the trade window about to open, the Warriors are positioned to make a move - and they’re not just trying to get something done. They’re looking to make it count.