The 2025 NBA offseason was one of the busiest and most unpredictable in recent memory. The offseason saw star players switch coasts and dark-horse contenders make bold acquisitions.
Now, as preseason action winds down and the league inches closer to tip-off for the 2025–26 campaign, a new trade rumor has begun to shake the basketball world. This time involving Golden State Warriors player Jonathan Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors Resurface: Could the Bulls Be Interested?
For most of the offseason, the Warriors were in the news for two main reasons. While several contenders revamped their rosters with blockbuster additions, there was Golden State, which appeared relatively quiet.
At the same time, internal drama surrounded Kuminga’s contract situation. The 23-year-old forward and the Warriors’ front office reportedly struggled to find common ground on terms. However, these uncertainties seemed to fade late in the summer when the Golden State signed veteran center Al Horford and officially re-signed Kuminga to a new two-year deal.
However, just a few weeks after Kuminga’s re-signing, his name has resurfaced in trade rumors.
In a recent report by “Bleacher Report’s” Andy Bailey, the Chicago Bulls have been floated as a potential trade partner for the Warriors. The proposal suggests that Chicago could send center Nikola Vučević and a lottery-protected 2031 first-round pick to Golden State in exchange for Kuminga.
Bailey argued in his report that while Golden State’s addition of Horford added much-needed experience, the team still lacks size and frontcourt depth and Vučević could immediately fill this gap.
“Nikola Vučević is a floor-spacer and ball-mover whose offensive game would fit right into the Warriors system. And sharing the floor with players like Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green or Gary Payton II could go a long way toward hiding his defensive flaws.”
“Fans may wince at the idea of giving up a first-rounder for Jonathan Kuminga but his athleticism and physical profile are still intriguing, especially if, in a bigger role and with consistent opportunities set up by Josh Giddey, he could thrive,” wrote Bailey in his report.
How Can Vučević Help the Warriors (if He Joins)?
Vučević entered the NBA as the 16th overall pick in the 2011 Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. After making his debut during the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, he was included in the massive Dwight Howard trade that sent him to the Orlando Magic.
There, he became an All-Star center and was later traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2021. He then signed a three-year, $60 million extension with the Bulls in 2023.
If the trade were to materialize, Vučević could prove to be an ideal fit for the Warriors’ offensive system. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting which included a sharp 40.2% from beyond the arc (last season) would provide crucial spacing for Stephen Curry and the second unit.
Defenses collapsing on Curry would face a difficult choice that is either leave Vučević open on the perimeter or risk exposing driving lanes. His refined touch around the rim, paired with strong passing instincts, would also make him a valuable cog in Golden State’s signature motion offense.
In pick-and-pop sets with young guards like Brandin Podziemski, Vučević could seamlessly blend efficiency with versatility, providing the Warriors with a reliable interior option off the bench while maintaining their signature small-ball identity.
For Chicago, however, trading Vučević would signify a clear shift toward a younger and more athletic future. Kuminga, who is still just in his early 20s, would offer elite defensive versatility. While nothing is finalized, this rumored swap suggests both teams may soon head in very different directions.