The Bulls tried it, at least.
For the third consecutive year, the Chicago Bulls did nothing at the trade deadline. But according to Bulls source K.C. Johnson, the Bulls attempted to make a trade for the gifted forward Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, but the negotiations did not go beyond the preliminary exchanges.
Advances denied
For a long time, the Bulls have insisted that it would require a substantial offer to wrest guard Alex Caruso from them. The Warriors’ third-year pro Kuminga, who has turned around this season and is averaging 15.4 points on 53 percent shooting and 4.7 rebounds, was one guy the Bulls might have thought about trading Caruso for. Johnson did note that the Bulls declined his advances, though.
“League sources said that the Bulls asked about Jonathan Kuminga’s availability during exploratory trade talks with the Golden State Warriors that focused on Caruso.” That was rejected, and Johnson wrote that the Bulls had made it clear in negotiations with all teams that they were unwilling to deal Caruso—especially not for a package that would include other young players like Moses Moody—and that they would have to be blown away by a serious offer in order to do so.
Talks involved Drummond and DeRozan
Johnson also disclosed that teams have called the Bulls front office to inquire about veteran players DeMar DeRozan and Andre Drummond. But as the day went on, such investigations stalled while other teams closed deals.
Johnson added that in addition to Caruso, the Bulls also took calls regarding veteran shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and big Andre Drummond, having “some cursory conversations” about the latter. But as other trades were finalized, the market for both players shrank,” Johnson revealed.