Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga’s one of the players that could be on the move this offseason, as the restricted free agent “is looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward,” reports HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto.
Only time will tell if he’ll ever find that with the Warriors, whose double-speak reveals their layered thoughts about the 22-year-old. However, if not, a sign-and-trade could lead him to greener pastures. After his rough 2024-25 campaign, teams aren’t lining up around the block to get him. Nonetheless, Kuminga has two Eastern Conference suitors with a realistic shot at being his future employer.
Bulls, Heat Emerge As Jonathan Kuminga Sign & Trade Suitors
“The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga,” per Scotto.
“With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga…”
Chicago Bulls
If the Bulls were to commit to a sign-and-trade for Kuminga, he would likely get the opportunity he’s been looking for with the Warriors.
At this point, their rotation is far from concrete, let alone their roster. Nonetheless, barring a trade, Coby White and Nikola Vucevic will be the team’s top scorers. With Kuminga averaging 20.8 points per game in the 40 contests that he’s played 30+ minutes, he could step in as the team’s third option, if not second-in-command.
Kevin Huerter has a career scoring average in the double-figures (11.6 points per game). Ayo Dosunmu averaged 14.2 points per contest in 26 games as a starter last season. Matas Buzelis, the 11th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, averaged 13.0 points per game after the 2025 All-Star Break.
Still, none of them have generated as much offense as Kuminga when given the same opportunity. Given that Vucevic, Zach Collins and Jalen Smith can draw bigger players out of the paint, Kuminga could be even better with the Bulls. It doesn’t hurt that Buzelis has shown himself to be a capable 3-point shooter.
In a sign-and-trade, the Bulls package should center around Patrick Williams, a career 39.2 percent 3-point shooter.
Miami Heat
Kuminga is at least a tier below Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, who the Heat have had designs on. Even so, Miami has had plenty of success with physical forwards who aren’t the greatest shooters. Furthermore, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has also done well in the player development department. As a result, Kuminga could excel in South Beach.
With Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware still needing to hone their jumpers, he isn’t perfect for the starting lineup. The spacing could get even worse if they re-sign Davion Mitchell to be their starting point guard. Though the defensive specialist shot 44.7 percent from 3 with the Heat in 2024-25, he’s a career 34.4 percent shooter from deep; he’ll have to prove his treys are here to stay.
Kuminga doesn’t have to start though. Additionally, Spoelstra is one of the few head coaches that’s willing to focus more on scoring inside the arc than outside of it. Court geometry and player alignment matters, but he’ll allow Kuminga to play to his strengths. Though his standards will require Kuminga improve in all areas, he’ll be more concerned about him being a great team player than knockdown shooter.
In a sign-and-trade for Kuminga, the framework could focus on Duncan Robinson, a career 39.7 percent 3-point shooter.
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