Of the 31 2025 NBA restricted free agents, 21 have signed a contract, with 18 returning to their previous teams. Thus, leaving 10 RFAs on the open market, including four who are on standard contracts. There has been lots of news about the stalemate between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, as well as some recent news about Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey. With neither player likely to be signed in the next month, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report speculated that there could be a trade between the parties in a one-for-one deal involving Giddey and Kuminga.
“I can report that there have been multiple teams that have reached out to Josh Giddey’s representation about having interest in [him],” Fischer said. “Golden State is one of them. Golden State would be interested, depending on how the machinations would go, in some kind of Josh Giddey-Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade, to my understanding.”
Why The Warriors and Bulls Swapping Restricted Free Agents Makes Sense For Both Clubs
While Fischer said the Bulls have been telling teams that “The Bulls have been telling teams… that they don’t want to talk sign-and-trade,” he added that Chicago has a longstanding interest in Kuminga.
“They made outreach to Golden State early in the offseason about Kuminga, they’ve talked about Kuminga in various trade conversations with the Warriors in the past when Golden State was checking in on Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso and other things,” Fischer noted.
Kuminga has turned down several offers from the Warriors. The 6-9 forward recently turned down a two-year, $45 million offer, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. He is reportedly seeking a deal of at least $30 million per season. Despite Kuminga turning down the latest offer, the Warriors have said they expect him to be on the team for next season. Kuminga’s qualifying offer is for $7.9 million.
Like Golden State with Kuminga, the Bulls are interested in keeping Giddey. While Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints has said that negotiations between the Bulls and the 6-9, 22-year-old have been relatively smooth, he added that the sides are about $10 million apart. Giddey reportedly is seeking $30 million a year.
What Would Jonathan Kuminga Bring To The Bulls?
Kuminga struggled shooting the ball last season as he missed two months due to an ankle injury and was in and out of the starting lineup. But he rebounded in the postseason, averaging 15.3 points on 48.4% shooting from the field and 40.0% from deep over eight appearances.
Kuminga is a bucket-getter who can drop 30 if he gets on a roll. Kuminga is at his best when he gets to the hoop, whether in the halfcourt or transition. The 22-year-old is very good in the paint overall, although he is not great on the perimeter or as a ballhandler. He is also a pretty good perimeter defender while being a decent rebounder and passer.
It is Kuminga’s scoring ability that makes him a good fit with the Bulls. He averages 15.5 points for his career as a starter in 84 opportunities, compared to 11.1 points in 174 games. He would immediately become the Bulls’ primary scoring option or, at the very least, be a great complement to Coby White.
Chicago was one of the top-scoring teams in the league last season, even after LaVine was dealt at the trade deadline as White and Giddey stepped up their production. White has shown the ability to be a quality scorer the past two years, but he is primarily a 3-point marksman. Meanwhile, Giddey is a better shooter than Kuminga, but he is not as explosive as a scorer.
Nikola Vucevic is a quality scorer at 34, though he is on an expiring contract and is not expected to remain with the club for the whole season. Ayo Dosunmu has improved as a scorer, but his best season is averaging over 12 points per contest. Kevin Huerter is a 3-point marksman.
What Would Josh Giddey Bring To The Warriors?
Golden State’s interest in Giddey dates back to the 2021 draft. Fischer said that the Warriors were prepared to select the Australian if Kuminga were chosen ahead of their No. 7 pick.
Giddey is one of the most versatile offensive players in the league. Giddey can play all five positions and is an outstanding passer and rebounder, in addition to being a good shooter. He is a solid defender, though only a high-volume 3-point shooter, making 33% of his attempts from beyond the arc for his career.
Giddey is a perfect fit for the Warriors as they are currently constructed. Giddey would give the Dubs another playmaker and ballhandler. He is also the ideal sidekick alongside Draymond Green when Steve Kerr goes small. He would also be the centerpiece of the franchise’s future once Stephen Curry, Green, and Jimmy Butler retire.
Golden State only has nine players under contract for 2025-26, though they reportedly have agreements with other players once the Kuminga saga is resolved.
Last Word
A trade involving Giddey and Kuminga would be complicated to complete, due to NBA rules regarding base salaries. As a result, Eli Cohen of Hooprumors suggests that a third team would need to be included in a trade.
However, I’m not sure a simple deal couldn’t be ironed out. Both the Warriors and Bulls have their entire mid-level exceptions available, and if both players agree to a one-year contract, they can work out an extension after a trade is consummated (wink, wink). The mid-level exception ($14.1 million) would be a significant increase over their qualifying offers for both players. The Bulls project to have significant cap space for 2026-27. Although the Warriors’ cap situation is more complicated in 2026-27, the Dubs will find a way to make it work as they project to be at least $44 million under the second apron next year.
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images
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