With Golden State Warriors restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga leaning toward accepting his $7.9 million qualifying offer, speculation is mounting about his long-term future — and one Eastern Conference team has already surfaced as a possible destination.
Bulls Linked to Kuminga’s Future
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported in The Stein Line newsletter Friday that the Chicago Bulls could be a landing spot for the 23-year-old forward.
“Don’t dismiss Chicago completely as a future landing spot for Kuminga,” Fischer wrote. “The Bulls are projected to have significant salary cap space next summer … those are among the factors that have Kuminga’s camp, I’m told, strongly considering the same route that [Isaiah] Thomas went and accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer from Golden State that expires Oct. 1.”
Getty The Chicago Bulls can add another former lottery pick next to Josh Giddey and Coby White next offseason as they are continually linked to Jonathan Kuminga.
Chicago recently committed to its own restricted free agent, guard Josh Giddey, with a four-year, $100 million deal. Pairing the 22-year-old playmaker with Kuminga could be part of a longer-term plan if the Warriors forward opts to bet on himself.
The Bulls are expected to be one of at least 10 teams with significant cap room in 2026, along with Brooklyn, Charlotte, Detroit, both Los Angeles teams, Portland, Utah and Washington, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Golden State’s Offer Rejected
Kuminga has resisted the Warriors’ current proposal — a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option in the second season. That framework would remove a player option, strip him of leverage and waive the implicit no-trade protection tied to shorter-term deals.
“That’s something he’d be interested in,” ESPN’s Anthony Slater said of a player option. “But as of now, the Warriors have been hesitant to do that. And because of that, Kuminga is signaling … he’s very willing and prefers the qualifying offer over the two-year, $45 million deal. And that’s dangerous for the Warriors.”
Slater also reported that Kuminga would only reconsider if Golden State offered a three-year deal or granted a player option in the second year of its standing offer.
Stakes for the Warriors
If Kuminga chooses the qualifying offer, the Warriors would lose a valuable trade chip. A $7.9 million salary and the no-trade protections attached to such deals would severely limit Golden State’s ability to extract meaningful assets in a trade.
By contrast, the Warriors’ two-year proposal would create a $22.5 million salary slot that could be packaged in a larger deal. That flexibility could help reinforce the team’s aging core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green — all in their mid-to-late 30s — as the franchise attempts to extend its championship window.
High-Risk, High-Reward Path
Opting for the qualifying offer would allow Kuminga to reach unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2026. The move mirrors a strategy occasionally used by players who believe they can command bigger deals in a more favorable market.
Instagram/Jonathan KumingaJonathan Kuminga posts a powerful message on his Instagram story amid his restricted free agency.
But the gamble comes with significant risk. A reduced role, regression in performance, or a major injury could limit Kuminga’s long-term earning power.
For now, his decision has become one of the most closely watched storylines of Golden State’s offseason. The outcome will not only shape Kuminga’s career path but also impact the Warriors’ ability to retool around their veteran stars in the twilight of their primes.
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