Bucks Back Off: Warriors Wanted Bobby Portis in Kuminga Deal, and Milwaukee Wasn’t Having It
Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Golden State Warriors continues to be one of the most talked-about sagas of the NBA offseason. The latest chapter in this drama involves the Milwaukee Bucks, who reportedly expressed interest in the 21-year-old forward. However, the potential deal came to a halt when the Warriors made it clear they wanted Bobby Portis in return as part of a sign-and-trade package. That was the line Milwaukee refused to cross. The Bucks, according to multiple insiders, were simply not willing to move one of their most valuable and consistent role players in exchange for an unproven, albeit talented, asset.
Kuminga, who has been viewed as a potential breakout star ever since being drafted seventh overall in 2021, has had a complicated journey with the Warriors. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance—athletic finishes, solid defense, and improved decision-making—his fit within Golden State’s system has been inconsistent. Coach Steve Kerr’s motion offense and defensive switching schemes require a high basketball IQ, adaptability, and patience—traits that Kuminga has developed slowly but not yet mastered.
Last season, Kuminga averaged career highs in points, rebounds, and assists, while shooting efficiently from the field. But even with those numbers, his role fluctuated. Some nights he was the focal point of the second unit, and other times he found himself glued to the bench. That uncertainty seems to be at the heart of his discontent. When he rejected a two-year, $45 million offer from the Warriors earlier this summer, it became clear that his camp was angling for either a bigger payday, a guaranteed long-term role, or both.
The Bucks’ interest in Kuminga likely stemmed from a desire to inject some youth and athleticism into a core that is becoming increasingly top-heavy and aging. With Khris Middleton battling injuries and the front office looking to refresh the supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kuminga’s upside made him a tantalizing target. But the price was too high. Bobby Portis isn’t just a fan favorite—he’s a floor-spacer, an energy guy, and a vocal presence in the locker room. He embodies the kind of toughness and consistency that contenders can’t afford to lose, especially not for a player who might not be ready to contribute at a high level in deep playoff runs.
From Milwaukee’s point of view, trading Portis for a young prospect—even one as intriguing as Kuminga—would have been a significant risk. The Bucks are still in a win-now window. Giannis is at his peak, and though the team has undergone some changes in recent seasons, including the controversial parting of ways with Damian Lillard, the objective remains the same: contend for a title. Bringing in a player like Kuminga would be a long-term play, but one that might compromise short-term success, especially if he doesn’t gel quickly with the existing system or core.
The Warriors’ decision to ask for Portis also tells us a lot. It signals that they still value Kuminga highly and won’t just give him away for a lesser asset. Even though the two sides haven’t been able to agree on a new contract, Golden State appears committed to getting real value in any potential trade. That stance has reportedly made negotiations difficult with several other teams as well. Other franchises, including the Bulls, Suns, and Kings, have also been linked to Kuminga in rumors, but nothing has materialized—mainly because of Golden State’s firm asking price, which reportedly includes young talent and at least one first-round pick.
What complicates matters further is the timing and structure of any potential deal. Because Kuminga is currently a restricted free agent, a sign-and-trade scenario is the only viable option for many teams. But those deals are tricky under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, particularly for teams that are already over the luxury tax threshold. Both the Bucks and the Warriors are navigating tight financial margins, and every dollar and roster slot counts.
The current situation leaves Kuminga in an awkward limbo. He hasn’t signed an offer sheet with another team. He hasn’t accepted the Warriors’ offer. And he hasn’t taken the $7.9 million qualifying offer either, which would allow him to play one more year in Golden State and then enter unrestricted free agency in 2026. That option remains on the table but comes with significant risk for Kuminga, especially if he suffers an injury or sees his role reduced again this season.
Behind the scenes, there’s growing tension between Kuminga’s representatives and the Warriors’ front office. Kuminga’s agent has reportedly been pushing hard for a bigger payday and a clearer role, possibly with a new team. The Warriors, for their part, are trying to balance future planning with present competitiveness. They’re also under pressure to make moves that satisfy both ownership and the expectations of Stephen Curry, who remains the face of the franchise.
This standoff also affects the Warriors’ broader offseason plans. As long as Kuminga’s situation remains unresolved, the team is limited in how it can use cap exceptions and sign veteran role players. There have been rumblings that Golden State is interested in bringing in experienced names like Al Horford or De’Anthony Melton to bolster their rotation, but those talks are reportedly on pause until the Kuminga drama is sorted out.
From a fan perspective, the whole thing is getting tiring. Some see Kuminga as the future of the franchise, the next face of the team after the Curry-Draymond-Klay era. Others view him as a trade chip whose value may never be higher than it is now. There’s a growing divide even within the Warriors’ fan base. On social media and message boards, debates rage over whether to keep Kuminga and continue developing him or flip him for more established help.
On the Bucks’ side, the decision to back out of the potential deal appears to be final. They’re moving forward with the roster they have, and unless something drastic changes, they don’t seem likely to revisit the Kuminga talks. Their priority right now is maintaining chemistry and cohesion heading into what they hope will be another deep playoff run.
In the end, this whole saga reflects the complex dynamics of NBA team building. You’ve got one of the league’s most promising young players who isn’t happy with his current situation. You’ve got multiple teams interested, but none willing to pay the Warriors’ high price. And you’ve got financial restrictions and collective bargaining rules that make creative deals harder to execute than ever. For now, the only certainty is uncertainty.
As training camp approaches and rosters begin to solidify, time is running out for both sides. The Warriors need to make a decision—commit to Kuminga and make him a core part of the team’s future, or move him and get assets that fit better with Curry’s remaining window. Kuminga, meanwhile, has to decide if he’s willing to bet on himself by playing one more year under the qualifying offer, or if he’s ready to settle for a slightly less lucrative deal to find long-term stability.
One thing is clear: the Bucks may have kicked the tires, but they’re not riding off with Kuminga anytime soon. The Warriors asked for too much, and Milwaukee wasn’t willing to gut their core in return. In today’s NBA, that’s a pretty common ending—but it still leaves a lot of questions unanswered. For Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, the clock keeps ticking.
