The Golden State Warriors are all but forced to run things back after losing in the second round of the NBA playoffs, and that might not be a bad thing. Stephen Curry got hurt against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the second half of the regular season proved that Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Curry can win games together.
After adding Butler, young forward Jonathan Kuminga fell out of the rotation and was a non-factor in several playoff games. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors control his future, although the general consensus is that he will be traded.
The Dubs can offer him the most money this offseason, so a sign-and-trade makes the most sense. One recent mock trade sent him to the Chicago Bulls.
Jonathan Kuminga
Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center.
© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Between Coby White, Lonzo Ball, Josh Giddey, and free agent Tre Jones, the Bulls have plenty of young backcourt depth, and it makes sense that they would want to add quality players on the wings.
Kuminga fits the bill, and Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes built a trade that Warriors fans will love.
Full Mock Trade Details
Warriors receive: Coby White
Bulls receive: Jonathan Kuminga (sign-and-trade)
White is one of the best players in Chicago and is coming off a season where he averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists while shooting 37 percent from deep. A guard rotation of Curry, White, Brandin Podziemski, and Gary Payton II would bolster the Warriors on both sides of the ball.
This would be highway robbery by Golden State.
"His expiring $12.8 million salary in 2025-26 isn’t large enough to make an extension realistic in Chicago, and his scoring and shot-creation would address Golden State’s most critical weakness," Hughes wrote of White. "Considering White has played at fringe All-Star levels the past two years, the Warriors might need to include a pick."
White would be able to lead the offense for a few games if Curry misses time with an injury, which was clearly their biggest weakness during their short playoff run this season. A trade like this solves a problem and unloads a player who was likely on the way out, anyway.
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