Warriors Missed Prime Kuminga-Caruso Trade Opportunity: Report

Golden State passed on a chance to land Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls in 2024, per sources.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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According to a report from ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Golden State Warriors had a prime opportunity to trade Jonathan Kuminga for former Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso at the 2024 trade deadline, but ultimately decided against it. Caruso went on to become a key contributor for the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2025 NBA championship team, while Kuminga's trade value diminished in the seasons that followed.

Why it matters

The Warriors' decision not to trade Kuminga for Caruso has been viewed by some within the organization as a missed opportunity to acquire a two-way talent that could have helped the team in its pursuit of another championship. Caruso's ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor could have been valuable for the Warriors, who were looking to maximize their championship window around Stephen Curry.

The details

Kuminga had a breakout 2023-24 season, averaging a career-high 16.1 points per game. However, his trade value reportedly wasn't as high as the Warriors had hoped, leading to the team passing on a deal to land Caruso from the Bulls at the 2024 trade deadline. Some within the organization believed this was the prime opportunity they should have seized to acquire Caruso, who went on to play a key role in the Thunder's 2025 title run.

  • The Warriors had trade discussions to acquire Caruso from the Bulls at the 2024 trade deadline.
  • Caruso was traded from the Bulls to the Oklahoma City Thunder in June 2024.

The players

Jonathan Kuminga

A former lottery pick for the Golden State Warriors who had a breakout 2023-24 season, averaging a career-high 16.1 points per game.

Alex Caruso

A two-way guard who was traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Oklahoma City Thunder in June 2024, where he played a key role in the team's 2025 NBA championship.

Stephen Curry

The star point guard of the Golden State Warriors, who the team was looking to maximize its championship window around.

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What they’re saying

“In the seasons that followed, team sources theorized that Lacob's outward public belief in Kuminga and his animated celebrations of Kuminga's big moments stemmed from his desire to be proved correct in his original assessment.”

— Anthony Slater, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

“It's also why, those sources believed, Lacob had a difficult time sending out Kuminga in potential trades.”

— Anthony Slater, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Warriors will look to maximize their championship window around Stephen Curry, and may explore trade options to improve their roster in the future.

The takeaway

This report highlights the Warriors' missed opportunity to acquire a valuable two-way player in Alex Caruso, who could have helped the team in its pursuit of another championship. The decision to hold onto Jonathan Kuminga, despite his diminishing trade value, is seen by some within the organization as a misstep that cost them a chance to land a player who could have made a significant impact.