Would Chicago be interested in acquiring the former Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks wing? Or would the Bulls help facilitate a three-team sign-and-trade elsewhere?
The Chicago Bulls swung and missed on restricted free agent Peyton Watson, then did the same for Bennedict Mathurin. Although the level of Chicago's interest was widely speculated, the bottom line is that neither player is currently on the team's roster.
However, the Bulls may not be done making offseason moves. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Chicago is "involved in Jonathan Kuminga's process to a real degree," as the 23-year-old wing remains unsigned.
That could mean one of two things. Either the Bulls are looking to acquire Kuminga for themselves, or they're attempting to facilitate a trade between the Hawks and another team using their salary cap flexibility. Fischer believes that the Lakers and Timberwolves are the two frontrunners to land Kuminga, likely meaning the Bulls are aiming to do the latter.
Kuminga is an unrestricted free agent and most recently played for the Atlanta Hawks. He reportedly turned down massive extension offers from the Golden State Warriors over the past few years and will now likely have to settle for a much smaller deal wherever he lands.
The Hawks are currently $3.8 million under the tax, and in order to make a sign-and-trade work, Atlanta would need to receive similar salary compensation from the Lakers (operating as a tax team) or the Timberwolves (first apron team). As an unrestricted free agent, Kuminga does not currently count against the Hawks' books, and a sign-and-trade that sends Kuminga out west could push Atlanta over the tax.
Mar 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images That's where the Bulls could come in. As a team looking to contend, the Hawks presumably wouldn't want to take back any of the Lakers' similar contracts that couldn't contribute to winning, like Jarred Vanderbilt. If the Lakers compensated the Bulls with draft capital, Chicago could send a player like Isaac Okoro or Jalen Smith to Atlanta in exchange for taking on Vanderbilt.
Minnesota has better draft compensation to offer, but as a team that's only $4 million under the second apron, a deal would be much more difficult to arrange. The Bulls could take on the expiring $12.5 million salary for injured Donte Divincenzo, and a distant first-round pick could even be on the table from the Timberwolves.
Kuminga played just 36 games last year, averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game between the Warriors and Hawks. He shot 46.3% from the floor overall and 33.3% from deep. In Kuminga's last full season — 2023-24 — the versatile wing scored a career-best 16.1 points per game on 52.9% shooting.
