Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga bet on himself last year, reportedly turning down a five-year extension worth $150 million heading into a contract year. While he’s not going to get anything close to that in NBA free agency, multiple suitors are already emerging for him.
According to Jake Fischer, the Chicago Bulls have had a long-standing interest in Kuminga and are expected to be joined by the Miami Heat in pursuing him this summer.
“Sources say that Chicago has as an ongoing interest in the 22-year-old forward. This tracks with past interest that the Bulls have shown in Kuminga in previous trade discussions with Golden State over the past two seasons involving players such as Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević.
Jake Fischer on the Chicago Bulls’ interest in Jonathan Kuminga
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Fischer added that the market for Kuminga really won’t gain more clarity until after Kevin Durant is traded. So, Miami could back off its interest if it can acquire Durant ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Kuminga, who turns 23 in October, is coming off a down season. However, the 6-foot-8 forward played well in an expanded role during the NBA Playoffs, averaging 24.3 PPG and shooting 55.4 percent from the field in the final four games against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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While Miami and Chicago will both pursue Kuminga, Fischer writes that the “most likely outcome” is that the young forward re-signs with Golden State. If he does, it will likely be on a deal with a far lower contract value than the extension offer the Warriors made last summer.
NFL, MLB & college football writer for Sportsnaut. Graduated from San Diego State University with BA in Journalism, 2019. ... More about Matt Johnson