The Golden State Warriors once passed on a Bulls swap that would have brought Alex Caruso in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga, a decision driven by belief in Kuminga’s long-term upside. Ownership, led by Lacob, has stood by Kuminga through tense negotiations, signaling a commitment to the young forward as a potential cornerstone.

As Kuminga surged to lead the Warriors in scoring during the second-round loss to Minnesota and continued to produce this summer, Golden State has resisted trading him. With the season near, the franchise may still explore fair-value offers from other teams, balancing Kuminga’s growing value with the chance to land impactful pieces like Caruso if the fit is right.