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Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Bulls could be in a position to make a run at Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga as speculation swirls around his contract future.

Kuminga, 23, has yet to accept the Warriors’ two-year, $45 million extension offer and is leaning toward signing a $7.9 million qualifying offer that would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2026, according to multiple reports.

NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Friday that the Bulls are one of the teams being closely linked to the former No. 7 pick.

“Don’t dismiss Chicago completely as a future landing spot for Kuminga,” Fischer wrote. “The Bulls are projected to have significant salary cap space next summer … those are among the factors that have Kuminga’s camp, I’m told, strongly considering the same route that [Cam] Thomas went and accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer from Golden State that expires Oct. 1.”

Bulls’ Long-Term Play

Getty The Chicago Bulls can add another former lottery pick next to Josh Giddey and Coby White as they are continually linked to Jonathan Kuminga.

Chicago recently locked in guard Josh Giddey to a four-year, $100 million deal. Adding Kuminga to the mix could give the Bulls a young, athletic tandem to build around as they prepare for a 2026 free-agent class expected to feature more options than this year’s thin market.

Kuminga, a 6-foot-8 forward with elite athleticism, would fit that mold. He averaged 16.4 points and 5.2 rebounds last season, including a breakout stretch when Stephen Curry was sidelined. In four playoff games against Minnesota, he averaged 24.3 points on 55% shooting and 38.9% from beyond the arc.

The Bulls are among at least 10 teams projected to have significant cap room in 2026, a group that includes Brooklyn, Charlotte, Detroit, both Los Angeles franchises, Portland, Utah and Washington, according to ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks.

ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported earlier this summer that Chicago has shown interest in Kuminga. “The two teams have held conversations with one another this offseason,” Siegel wrote, noting talks were centered on Chicago’s potential pursuit of the 6-foot-8 forward.

Warriors’ Gamble

Golden State has offered Kuminga a two-year deal that includes a team option in the second season. That structure would eliminate a player option and the implicit no-trade protection tied to shorter contracts, limiting Kuminga’s leverage.

ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Kuminga would only reconsider if the Warriors included either a third guaranteed year or a player option in Year 2. Without that, Kuminga appears prepared to follow the qualifying-offer route — a move that would give him more control over his free agency but comes with risks of reduced role or injury.

For the Warriors, the decision is significant. Kuminga’s qualifying offer salary would be difficult to move in trades, while a longer deal could have created a $22 million slot for potential roster reinforcements.

Bulls’ Opportunity

If Kuminga does hit the open market after next season, the Bulls would be well-positioned to make a competitive offer. Chicago’s front office has signaled a commitment to reshaping its roster around younger talent after three straight years of not making the playoffs.

For now, Kuminga’s future remains tied to Golden State. But in Chicago, the possibility of pairing him and Giddey is already being floated as a bold vision of the Bulls’ next era.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo