Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga appears to be heading to restricted free agents during the offseason. ESPN’s Bobby Max (ESPN) reported Tuesday that the four-year veteran is likely to be tendered by Golden State, but CAP restrictions on the lineup make it difficult for the organization to retain him.
“The Warriors are expected to offer him a $7.9 million year-on-year qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent,” Max wrote. “Since Brooklyn is the only team offering a starting salary of $20 million or more (the Golden State has the right to play), the best option may be to explore the signature deal.”
The Warriors face two challenges in Jonathan Kuminga’s signature deal
However, Max notes that, besides Kuminga must sign at least three years of contract with her first season, there are two challenges:
- Only 50% of Cushinga’s upcoming salary goes to trade instead of full amount.
- Golden State is also $25 million lower than the No. 1 apron. Unless additional salary is included, the team cannot trade for players whose revenue exceeds that amount.
The Warriors have invested 85% of their salary to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. The franchise is currently in the first apron, every Spotrac.
Even so, Green signed a four-year contract in 2023 and is now eligible to add another two years to his existing contract ($36.3 and $39.2 million, respectively).
So which team can offer the best deal for Kubinga?
Bulls can provide Nikola Vucevic to Kubinga
NBA insiders recently linked Kuminga with teams like Nets and Orlando Magic.
Both teams will be an interesting landing point for the previous first round, but there is also an Oriental Conference team where Northeast fans are sleeping: the Chicago Bulls.
Chicago can propose the following trading plans for Kuminga:
Bull received: Jonathan Kuminga (Signature Transaction)
Warrior received: Nikola Vucevic ($21.48 million), Ayo Dosunmu ($7.51 million), 2025 first-round draft pick (CHI), 2027 first-round draft pick (CHI)
The Bulls may not agree with such a deal, and if so, Golden State may trade dosunmu to help prioritize key roles on its roster.
Despite Chicago’s $135 million salary, they will have no ceiling space due to Josh Giddey’s free agent ($25.1 million) and first-round draft pick.
Still, the Bulls do have access to its non-tax intermediate ($14.1 million), annual ($5.1 million), minimum veterans and second-round draft exceptions. They have $17.2 million and $2.9 million in trade exceptions.
Warriors may ask Coby White in return
If the Warriors lose Gary Payton II to free agents, they can even ask the Bulls for Coby White’s reward. White is expected to earn $12.88 million in 2025-26.
In 74 games (73 games) this season, White averaged a career-high 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 33.1 minutes per game, while shooting a career-high 45.3% while Deep scored 37%.
Golden State needs a moving edge protector, front-field depth and consistent third-pointer. The Warriors can kill two birds with a stone to get Vucevic and White, but this will be expensive.
Without Cushinga’s roster, the Warriors’ price is $17.5 million below the luxury tax. Their price is $25.5 million, down from $37 million for two aprons.
The Golden State is allowed to use its $14.1 million non-tax intermediate exception, but once the lineup is filled, it is not allowed to exceed the first apron.
