Golden State Warriors Pacers Bulls Three-Team Mock Trade Sends Jonathan Kuminga to Chicago While Obi Toppin and Picks Reshape NBA Futures

The NBA offseason is often the most chaotic time of year, with trade rumors swirling, stars pushing for bigger roles, and franchises looking to reshape their futures. This summer is proving to be no different, and one name that has consistently surfaced in trade talks is Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. At just 21 years old, Kuminga is a gifted athlete with the physical tools and skill set to be a franchise cornerstone, but the situation in Golden State has become problematic. As the Warriors look to stay competitive in the twilight years of Stephen Curry’s career while also integrating Jimmy Butler after their blockbuster move earlier in the offseason, Kuminga’s desire for a bigger role is pushing him toward the exit. A three-team NBA mock trade scenario involving the Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers is gaining traction as a potential solution, one that could dramatically reshape each team’s short-term and long-term outlook, both on the court and in fantasy basketball circles.

Kuminga has made it clear behind the scenes that he does not want to remain in Golden State. His frustrations are rooted in usage and role—he is tired of being a third option at best and relegated to the background while Curry and Butler dominate possessions. For a player of his talent, upside, and ambition, that is no longer acceptable. Kuminga believes his growth and ultimate potential hinge on playing in an environment where he can be the focal point, handle the ball more, and shoulder offensive responsibility. Golden State understands this, but the longer they drag out these discussions, the more leverage they lose. If the Warriors intend to maximize his trade value, moving him sooner rather than later is the logical choice.

The proposed mock deal is as follows:

Warriors Receive:

• Forward Obi Toppin

• 1st Round Pick

Pacers Receive:

• Center Nikola Vucevic

• 2nd Round Pick

Bulls Receive:

• Forward Jonathan Kuminga

• Guard Moses Moody

• Forward Jarace Walker

At first glance, this trade may seem unconventional, but upon closer inspection, the puzzle pieces fit together for all three franchises. Golden State lands Obi Toppin, a versatile forward who has quietly carved out a niche in Indiana as a rim runner, energy player, and floor spacer. He is not on Kuminga’s level as a long-term asset, but paired with a first-round pick, the Warriors get a combination of present-day help and future flexibility. Toppin can slot into Golden State’s rotation immediately, offering frontcourt athleticism and floor spacing without demanding high usage, something that works perfectly alongside Curry and Butler. More importantly, the first-round pick gives the Warriors additional capital to either draft and develop a younger piece or flip in another deal down the line.

For Indiana, the deal is all about adding a proven interior presence in Nikola Vucevic. The Pacers are one of the league’s fastest-rising young teams, led by Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and their modern offensive system. What they lack is a reliable veteran big man who can anchor the offense in half-court situations and provide rebounding stability. Vucevic, even in his mid-30s, remains a double-double machine and one of the league’s most skilled offensive centers. While he is not an elite defender, Indiana’s system can mask some of those deficiencies, and his ability to stretch the floor at the five gives Haliburton more space to operate. Throw in a second-round pick, and the Pacers add experience and production without compromising their young core.

The biggest winner in this trade, however, could very well be the Chicago Bulls. For years, the Bulls have been stuck in NBA purgatory—good enough to hover around the Play-In Tournament but not nearly good enough to contend. Their current roster construction, built around DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Vucevic, has hit its ceiling. By participating in this three-team deal, Chicago essentially signals a pivot toward youth and upside by acquiring Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Jarace Walker. Kuminga instantly becomes the most intriguing young talent on the roster, with the ability to take over as a franchise centerpiece if developed correctly. His explosive athleticism, improving jumper, and defensive versatility give him a sky-high ceiling, and in Chicago, he would finally have the freedom to “be the man.”

Moses Moody, another Golden State young piece, provides Chicago with a reliable shooting guard who can stretch the floor and defend multiple positions. While Moody has yet to fully break out, his talent is undeniable, and a change of scenery could be the key to unlocking his potential. Jarace Walker, meanwhile, adds another young forward to the mix. The Pacers selected him in the lottery just a year ago, but Indiana’s willingness to move him in this scenario highlights how much they value adding Vucevic’s established presence. For Chicago, pairing Kuminga and Walker in the frontcourt could be the foundation of a new era, one focused on athleticism, switchable defense, and long-term growth.

From a fantasy basketball perspective, this trade has massive implications. Jonathan Kuminga’s stock would skyrocket in Chicago. No longer buried behind Curry and Butler, Kuminga would have the opportunity to become the Bulls’ go-to scorer, especially if the team decides to move on from veterans like DeRozan or LaVine down the road. Kuminga’s ability to rack up points, rebounds, and defensive stats in a higher-usage role makes him a potential breakout star in both standard and dynasty fantasy leagues. Moses Moody could also see his fantasy relevance increase with more minutes and a defined role in Chicago’s rotation. On the other hand, Obi Toppin’s value in Golden State might be more situational—while his numbers could fluctuate depending on Steve Kerr’s rotations, his three-point shooting and transition play would make him an interesting late-round flyer. Vucevic in Indiana would likely maintain his steady production, though his touches could dip slightly in an offense designed around Haliburton’s playmaking.

For the Warriors, this deal represents a balance between present and future. They keep their championship window alive by adding Toppin, who fits seamlessly alongside their stars, while also securing a first-round pick to plan for life after Curry. For Indiana, it is a chance to accelerate their rise in the Eastern Conference by plugging in a proven All-Star caliber center who can complement their young perimeter talent. For Chicago, it is a complete reimagining of the franchise’s direction, finally committing to building around youth and upside rather than clinging to a veteran core that has failed to deliver results.

This trade also underscores a larger theme that has emerged across the NBA in recent years: the delicate balance between win-now urgency and long-term sustainability. Golden State knows that every season with Curry still playing at an elite level is precious, but they also cannot afford to let assets like Kuminga lose value on the bench. Indiana wants to build around Haliburton’s prime, which means surrounding him with reliable veterans, not just young prospects. Chicago, meanwhile, has reached a breaking point where change is necessary, and embracing risk by investing in players like Kuminga and Moody could be the first step toward relevance.

Of course, this is just a mock trade, and countless factors could prevent it from becoming reality. Front offices are notoriously protective of their young talent, and Chicago would have to be fully committed to reshaping its roster identity to move on from a reliable veteran like Vucevic. Indiana would need to believe that adding Vucevic elevates them into a legitimate playoff threat in the East. Golden State, meanwhile, would have to weigh whether Obi Toppin and a first-round pick are truly enough return for a player of Kuminga’s caliber.

Still, as far as hypothetical deals go, this one addresses needs across the board. The Warriors reduce their internal tension and add balance, the Pacers gain a stabilizing force at center, and the Bulls get the young star they have desperately needed. In the end, these types of creative three-team trades are what make the NBA offseason so fascinating—the blending of team needs, player desires, and future planning all into one blockbuster maneuver. And if Jonathan Kuminga truly wants to find a place where he can be the man, there might be no better stage than Chicago, where the lights are always bright, the expectations always high, and the opportunity for stardom always within reach.