The 2025 NBA free agency period is just a little over a month away, and it is a crucial one for the Bulls. Josh Giddey, fresh off the best season of his career, is approaching restricted free agency. Re-signing Giddey will need to be the front office’s top priority. Giddey improved in nearly every statistical category after the Zach LaVine trade and looks like the point guard of the future for Chicago.
Besides Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga is another top restricted free agent who could be a potential target for the Bulls. With the Warriors phasing Kuminga out of their rotation this last playoff series, both sides could use a change. A report from ClutchPoints’ Brett Seigel indicates that the Bulls have monitored Kuminga’s availability over the past few years.
With Nikola Vucevic reportedly on the trade block and garnering interest from the Warriors, a Kuminga sign-and-trade to the Bulls this offseason is a legitimate possibility. This poses the question: should Kuminga be on the Bulls’ radar?
Should the Bulls Pursue Jonathan Kuminga?
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey predicts that the Bulls land Kuminga in a sign-and-trade this offseason. In the proposed package, Kuminga heads to Chicago in exchange for Vucevic, Lonzo Ball and a 2029 top-5 protected first-round pick. While the trade hinges on Kuminga’s contract value, this hypothetical trade makes sense for both teams.
Kuminga’s blend of athleticism and scoring ability make him an intriguing potential addition to the Bulls. Adding Kuminga reinforces the team’s commitment to the youth movement in their latest rebuild. With the absence of Vucevic, Kuminga would instantly become the number one option in the frontcourt.
Battling with less competition for minutes, Chicago provides Kuminga with more room to expand upon the exciting potential he displayed in year three. In the 2023-24 season, Kuminga averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
At the rim, Kuminga is not afraid to get physical. He absorbs contact to get to the free-throw line and draws fouls when necessary. He also uses elite speed and strength to score second-chance points efficiently. On the other end of the ball, Kuminga has shown a promising ability to guard multiple positions on the court. His speed and 6’11” wingspan allow him to play solid on-ball defense, as he switches defensive assignments quickly and contests shots. Alongside Zach Collins, he will get the opportunity to learn from Collins and improve his rim protection skills.
Additionally, Kuminga also plays exceptionally well in fastbreak offenses, where he uses his quickness to cut past defenders. With Chicago ranking third in fastbreak points per game with 18.4, Kuminga slots in well as a third option catching passes from Coby White and Josh Giddey in Billy Donovan’s offense.
The Last Word
If the Bulls decide to extend an offer to Kuminga in restricted free agency, his contract value would likely be around $25-30 millionper year. Trey Murphy III is the closest example of a recent contract with a similar skillset to Kuminga. Murphy signed a four-year, $112 million extension with the Pelicans this past October.
For a young rebuilding team like the Bulls, $25 million/year would be a team-friendly deal. Kuminga’s raw, unpolished skillset never fit the Warriors win-now timeline. On a Bulls team that is playing for the future, a long-term deal for Kuminga makes more sense.
Assuming Vucevic gets traded, whether that be in a Kuminga sign-and-trade or a separate transaction, signing Kuminga is what the team needs to commit to the rebuild. Kuminga gets room to develop and craft his shooting and defense in Chicago, an opportunity he did not receive in Golden State. The athleticism and untapped potential that Kuminga has is promising. He is only 22 years old and holds All-Star level upside, which is well worth the gamble of a $25 million/year deal.
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