Chicago Bulls target Warriors’ young two-way forward

Despite a solid start to the season, the Chicago Bulls have gone 2-8 in their last 10 games and may seek a significant move before the trade deadline.

NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Bulls could be in the mix to acquire Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

“There has been no evidence to date to suggest that the Bulls plan to act upon persistent speculation that they harbor trade interest in Mavericks big man (and Chicago native) Anthony Davis,” Stein wrote in his article.

“Yet I was advised this week that Chicago should continue to be classified as a team to watch when it comes to Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors are increasingly expected to trade Kuminga between Jan. 15 — who is not trade-eligible this season until that date — and the Feb. 5 trade deadline.”

The 23-year-old entered the summer as a restricted free agent and only came back to the Warriors after prolonged talks. This isn’t the first time the Bulls have been connected to Kuminga. They reportedly targeted the Goma native in the offseason and could re-emerge as a potential suitor as the trade deadline approaches.

The Bulls has shown interest in Jonathan Kuminga

“And Chicago has certainly registered trade interest in Kuminga in the past, bringing up the 23-year-old in negotiations with Golden State on trades that never came to fruition in which the Warriors were engaged in talks of varying degrees of seriousness featuring Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević. The Bulls, meanwhile, continue to field trade interest in guard Coby White,” the NBA insider continued.

The Warriors wing’s value took another hit this week when he was marked as a healthy DNP-CD in Golden State’s blowout victory, notably on the road in Chicago. He didn’t see any minutes, even in garbage time, suggesting that head coach Steve Kerr no longer considers him part of the rotation.

Kuminga, still only 23, brings the qualities the Bulls are missing. He combines explosive athleticism with two-way potential at the forward position, has room for long-term development, and carries a contract that works for both a short-term retool and a longer rebuild.

Through 17 games this season, Kuminga is averaging 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting around 44 percent from the field. It’s still unclear whether the Warriors will trade him or if the Bulls will make a strong push to acquire him.

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