The Golden State Warriors made a blockbuster trade in February, acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. The trade worked out very well for the Dubs, who went 22-5 with Butler and Steph Curry in the lineup.
The Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in seven games, setting up a clash with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
Golden State won Game 1 in Minnesota, but Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and was lost for the rest of the series. Without the two-time MVP, the Warriors lost four games in a row.
Curry and Butler proved to be a dynamic duo this season, but one NBA analyst believes the Warriors need one more All-Star to make a serious run at the championship next season.
Golden State Warriors stars Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry
Golden State Warriors stars Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Warriors trade Jonathan Kuminga to the Chicago Bulls this summer for Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball and a 2029 top-5 protected first-round pick.
This would be a sign-and-trade deal since Kuminga becomes a restricted free agent this offseason.
"The Warriors need a center, and the Chicago Bulls have a win-now big man in Nikola Vucevic, whose shooting and passing would make him an easy fit on offense," Bailey wrote. "His defense is certainly tougher to sell, but a team with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler can hide a lot of Vuc's flaws on that end."
Vucevic has played for the Orlando Magic and Bulls. He's a two-time All-Star with career averages of 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds.
The 34-year-old Vucevic appeared in 73 games for the Bulls this season. He averaged 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds while shooting 53.0% from the field, 40.2% from 3 and 80.5% from the foul line.
If the Warriors acquired Vucevic this summer, head coach Steve Kerr could start Curry, Buddy Hield, Butler, Draymond Green and Vucevic next season.