ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel revealed why a potential trade sending Jonathan Kuminga to the Milwaukee Bucks didn't happen.
Failed Warriors-Bucks Jonathan Kuminga Trade Surfaces on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There continues to be no immediate resolution between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga. Because he's a restricted free agent, the Warriors have all the leverage, whether he signs an offer sheet or a suitor wants to discuss a sign-and-trade.
That's factored into why he has remained available. Not only that, but the Warriors haven't proactively re-signed him because they haven't consistently trusted him. Before Steph Curry's hamstring injury, Kuminga was barely featured in the Warriors' playoff rotation.
In their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets, Kuminga averaged 16.7 minutes, which was over only three games in a seven-game series. Even though Golden State didn't consistently feature him at full strength, they still aren't willing to lose him for nothing.
However, Kuminga has had interested suitors this offseason. One team that reportedly had interest in Kuminga was the Milwaukee Bucks. ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel revealed that the Bucks had interest in Kuminga, but the Warriors' interest in one Bucks player led to things going nowhere.
It is also worth mentioning that the Milwaukee Bucks were another team that kicked around the idea of pursuing Kuminga," Siegel wrote. "If they were to do so, the Warriors made it known they would want Bobby Portis in a sign-and-trade scenario, which is something Milwaukee wasn't willing to do.
"The Dubs have held interest in Portis dating back to before the 2024 NBA trade deadline."
Many of you have asked why the Warriors won't accept the Kings' latest offer for Jonathan Kuminga, so we got you covered at @ClutchPoints.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) August 14, 2025
Inside these Kuminga-Kings negotiations, and why the complications of such a deal outweigh the benefit for GS: https://t.co/Dz6eaN5oAY
Bobby Portis Has Experience Playing Next to Jimmy Butler
Portis would be a potentially good fit with Golden State because he has played with Jimmy Butler in the past. the two of them were teammates on the Chicago Bulls from 2015 to 2017 before Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Bulls made the playoffs in only one of those seasons, 2017, but they were up 2-0 on the Boston Celtics in the first round at one point. While the Celtics came back to win that series by winning the next four games, they put the No. 1 seed in a hole.
Butler and Portis' experience as teammates would have been potentially valuable for the Warriors, who also need help in the frontcourt. However, Portis has been a valued Bucks cog since joining them in 2020. He helped them win a title and make the playoffs for the last five years.
That's why the Bucks preferred to have both instead of doing a swap.
Related: Mock Trade Sends Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga to Pacers for Former Knicks’ Lottery Pick
Related: NBA Exec Makes $131 Million Claim on Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Amid Contract Standoff
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
