The Chicago Bulls’ decision to trade Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers not only cost them an opportunity to land Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors, it also revealed where the Bulls are regarding a potential Nikola Vucevic trade.
“I think that would have been something that Golden State would have liked,” NBA insider Jake Fischer said about Ball during a Bleacher Report live stream on July 17. “Without that obvious piece, there’s the thought that Nikola Vucevic would be a potential outgoing piece in a sign-and-trade, that the Warriors have had some interest there. I don’t think the Warriors have much interest in Nikola Vucevic. I really don’t.
“I’m not so bullish that there will be a sign-and-trade between Kuminga and Chicago that includes Nikola Vucevic. I think there’d have to be some other pieces involved. I don’t know exactly what that could entail, would entail. But I am pretty confident that the Warriors would not be super excited about losing Kuminga for an expiring contract, Nikola Vucevic.”
Vucevic is on an expiring three-year, $60 million contract.
Entering his fifth full season with the Bulls, Vucevic is one of the final remaining pieces from the team’s old core that also featured DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who were both traded.
Bulls’ Interest in Warriors F Jonathan Kuminga Faces Complications
GettyJonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Fischer for The Stein Line on July 17, Kuminga’s camp was “hopeful” about a sign-and-trade from the Warriors to the Bulls amid his $25 million per year asking price on a new contract, which is difficult for the Bulls to match with or without Vucevic.
Kuminga’s salary will count half as much for the Warriors as it will for an acquiring team in a trade, be it the Bulls or otherwise.
That is due to base year compensation.
If his new deal starts at $20 million in 2025-26, the Warriors would be able to take back $10 million. That significantly limits who the Bulls could trade, even with Vucevic, who is on the books for $21.5 million this coming season.
The Bulls also face the likelihood that Kuminga and the Warriors find common ground on a contract amid a stagnant restricted free agent market, making a trade moot.
Bulls Trade Pitch Lands Jonathan Kuminga
GettyJonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Barring that common ground scenario, the Warriors can include other players in the deal to match salaries, and the Bulls could have a more appealing trade chip than Vucevic.
Patrick Williams (five years, $90 million) will count $18 million in 2025-26.
The Bulls and Warriors could agree to a sign-and-trade swapping Williams for Kuminga (assuming the $20 million starting salary in 2025-26) and a player like Buddy Hield or Gary Payton II, though the latter would also need to be sign-and-traded, i.e., a three-year deal.
Bulls get:
- Jonathan Kuminga (via sign-and-trade)
- Buddy Hield OR Gary Payton II (via sign-and-trade)
Warriors get:
- Patrick Williams
- Draft capital
Hield will cost $9.2 million and has two more seasons on his four-year, $37.7 million pact with a player option for the final season.
Payton earned $8.7 million on his last deal, a three-year, $17.3 million contract.
The Bulls could soften the Warriors’ stance on whatever draft capital they would command for Kuminga in a trade that sends Williams over Vucevic, who is nearly 11 years his senior. That would get the Bulls out from under Williams’ deal, which they have shown an interest in doing.
Bulls Receive Critical Update on Potential Nikola Vucevic Trade
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