The Golden State Warriors are approaching a familiar inflection point, and Jonathan Kuminga's future may soon force a definitive decision.
According to Forbes NBA writer Evan Sidery, the Chicago Bulls would have interest in acquiring Kuminga in a deal centered around Nikola Vucevic, an idea that has quietly lived on the Warriors' radar dating back to last season.
Golden State showed significant interest in Vucevic previously but ultimately declined to meet Chicago's asking price. With the Bulls now struggling after a hot start, league executives believe the conditions have shifted.
For Golden State, the timing matters. Kuminga, 23, entered the offseason as a restricted free agent and only returned after prolonged negotiations. While his talent remains undeniable, his role within Steve Kerr's system has continued to fluctuate, and the Warriors are increasingly expected to explore alternatives before the trade deadline.
NBA insider Marc Stein reinforced that expectation in The Stein Line Substack, noting Chicago's repeated interest in Kuminga across multiple trade cycles.
"And Chicago has certainly registered trade interest in Kuminga in the past, bringing up the 23-year-old in negotiations with Golden State on trades that never came to fruition in which the Warriors were engaged in talks of varying degrees of seriousness featuring Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević," Stein wrote. "The Bulls, meanwhile, continue to field trade interest in guard Coby White."
From Golden State's perspective, Vučević represents a short-term structural solution. The 35-year-old center is averaging 15.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season while shooting 48.5% from the field and 38.3% from three, production that aligns with the Warriors' need for frontcourt spacing and half-court reliability around Stephen Curry.
Chicago's recent usage of Vučević may only strengthen Golden State's leverage. The veteran was benched down the stretch in a narrow win over Charlotte, playing just seven minutes in the second half as younger frontcourt options provided more energy. The Bulls sit 10th in the East at 11–15, and a seven-game losing streak prior to that win has pushed them toward listening again on veterans.
Kuminga, meanwhile, is averaging 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists through 18 games but remains an awkward fit in Golden State's motion-heavy offense. His value may never be higher to teams seeking athletic upside.
The Warriors don't need to rush, but the deadline is narrowing. And Chicago may finally offer the kind of reset Golden State has been quietly preparing for.
Newsweek