The Chicago Bulls did nothing at the trade deadline for the third consecutive year. However, Bulls insider K.C. Johnson said that the Bulls attempted to negotiate a trade for the Golden State Warriors’ skilled forward Jonathan Kuminga, but talks did not get beyond the preliminary stage.
Advances denied
The Bulls have long maintained that it would take a significant offer to get valued guard Alex Caruso away from them. The Bulls would have contemplated trading Caruso for Kuminga, the Warriors’ third-year pro who has improved this season and is averaging 15.4 points, 53% shooting, and 4.7 rebounds. However, Johnson said that the Bulls’ advances were turned down.
“During preliminary trade conversations with the Golden State Warriors centered on Caruso, league sources said the Bulls inquired about Jonathan Kuminga’s availability. That was rejected, and the Bulls made it clear in conversations with other teams that they didn’t want to move Caruso, especially for a deal that could include other young players like Moses Moody, so they’d have to be floored by an offer to do so,” Johnson wrote.
Talks involved Drummond and DeRozan
Johnson also revealed that the Bulls’ front management received calls from clubs interested in veterans Andre Drummond and DeMar DeRozan. However, as the day progressed, their investigations stalled, while other teams closed deals.
“In addition to Caruso, Johnson stated that the Bulls received inquiries about center Andre Drummond and had “some perfunctory chats” about veteran shooting guard DeMar DeRozan. However, the market for both players shrank when more transactions were completed,” Johnson explained.
