The Chicago Bulls expressed definite interest in Jonathan Kuminga this offseason but were unwilling to guarantee him a starting role or regular closing duties, according to The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi.

Lorenzi reported that Chicago viewed Kuminga as a potential talent to add to its rebuilding roster, but the organization wanted the role and contract to reflect its commitment to developing its existing young forwards. The Bulls ultimately did not make the type of offer that would have given Kuminga a prominent guaranteed role.

“Bulls lead executive Bryson Graham was part of the Atlanta Hawks front office that traded for Kuminga last season, and a reunion was welcomed in Chicago with the understanding Kuminga wouldn’t displace the prioritized chips in the rebuild,” Lorenzi wrote.

According to a league source cited by Lorenzi, the Bulls would not promise Kuminga that he would start or close games most nights. Chicago considers Matas Buzelis and 2026 No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson among its most important young pieces, creating a potential positional overlap with Kuminga.

Buzelis started all 77 games for Chicago in 2025-26 and averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range. Wilson, meanwhile, was selected fourth overall in June as another major part of the Bulls’ long-term rebuilding plan.

Kuminga entered free agency with five NBA seasons behind him. He has appeared in 294 career games, including 98 starts, and averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.1 minutes per game while shooting 50.2% from the field.

His best statistical season came in 2023-24, when he averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 74 games for Golden State while shooting 52.9% from the field. His production subsequently declined, with 15.3 points per game in 2024-25 and 12.2 points in 36 games during the 2025-26 season.

Lorenzi noted that Chicago was willing to take a chance on Kuminga’s talent if his role and contract were structured appropriately, but the Bulls’ rebuilding priorities limited how much they were prepared to commit.

Kuminga ultimately chose the Minnesota Timberwolves, signing a two-year contract with a player option for the second season and earning just over $6 million annually. Unlike Chicago, Minnesota is expected to give him a starting role.

The move also places Kuminga on a playoff team that was willing to commit to two guaranteed years while providing a more prominent role at forward. Minnesota has Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert as established pieces, while Kuminga gives the Timberwolves another athletic option capable of attacking in transition and finishing around the basket.

For Chicago, the decision reflected the broader rebuilding strategy under Graham. The Bulls have emphasized flexibility and developing Buzelis, Wilson and their other young players rather than guaranteeing major roles to outside additions.