The Warriors realize that Jonathan Kuminga’s trade value is at an all-time low. He hasn’t seen eye to eye with coaches or teammates for an extended period, and at this point, keeping him on the roster isn’t helping either side. As a result, Golden State pulls the plug and trades Kuminga to Chicago in exchange for Kevin Huerter’s expiring contract and a second-round pick.

From Golden State’s perspective, a second-round pick is simply better than nothing. Given the ongoing internal issues, it makes sense to recoup some value rather than letting the situation continue to deteriorate, regardless of how modest the return may be.

For Chicago, this is a clear opportunity to capitalize on Kuminga’s depressed value. The Bulls can roll out a starting five of Giddey, White, Kuminga, Buzelis, and Vučević—a fun, fast-paced, and lengthy lineup. With the play-in tournament likely on the horizon, this situation gives Kuminga a perfect proving ground to re-establish his value and define what he could command on the open market