A new in-depth three-team trade scenario has emerged featuring the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls. The proposed deal involves several players with long-term contracts and ties into current restricted free agency talks and franchise planning strategies.
As of early August 2025, the trade remains unconfirmed but is backed by credible insights and reporting from The Athletic, ESPN, The Sporting News, and Nets on SI. All trade details stem directly from these published sources.
- The Golden State Warriors are linked to a proposed sign-and-trade deal for Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas, who averaged 24.0 points per game last season and would arrive on a four-year, $65 million contract.
- Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Warriors remains in doubt, as reporting confirms both sides are exploring trade options; Kuminga’s agent proposed a three-year, $82 million contract, while Golden State offered a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option.
- A three-team trade proposal would send Nic Claxton and Josh Giddey to the Bulls and Kuminga, Nikola Vučević, and a 2028 first-round pick to the Nets, with the Bulls receiving a 2026 second-round pick via Atlanta as part of the exchange.
Proposed 3-Team NBA Trade
The proposed deal includes the following transactions:
Golden State Warriors Receive:
- Cam Thomas via sign-and-trade
Contract: 4 years, $65 million
Chicago Bulls Receive:
- Nic Claxton
- Josh Giddey (re-signed) Contract: 4 years, $98 million
- 2026 second-round pick via Atlanta
Brooklyn Nets Receive:
- Jonathan Kuminga via sign-and-trade
Contract: 4 years, $84 million - Nikola Vučević
- 2028 first-round pick (top-5 protected)
Cam Thomas Averaged 24 Points and Could Join Warriors
Cam Thomas, a 6-foot-3 guard for the Brooklyn Nets, posted an impressive 24.0 points per game in the latest NBA season. Jeremy Kruger of The Sporting News called Thomas a “microwave scorer,” noting he’s “a hard player to analyze” who “leaves a lot to be desired on defense.”
Thomas’s scoring prowess has sparked comparisons to elite sixth men. Under the proposed trade, Thomas would head to the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade deal reportedly worth $65 million across four years.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Contract and Trade Status Explained
Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Warriors has been the subject of widespread speculation. According to The Athletic’s Eric Koreen, “The Warriors don’t want Kuminga, and Kuminga doesn’t want to be in The Bay. Yet, the Warriors weren’t willing to forgo extending him a qualifying offer.”
In June 2025, the Warriors extended Kuminga a one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer. This was done under NBA rules for restricted free agency; players not coming off first-round contracts or two-way deals are eligible for qualifying offers equal to 135% of their previous salary.
Further reporting by Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN stated the Warriors offered Kuminga a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option for the 2026–27 season. In response, Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, proposed a three-year, $82 million deal.
Turner has also explored sign-and-trade opportunities with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, both of which reportedly offered four-year, $90 million deals with a player option in the fourth season. Despite these efforts, the Warriors have reportedly “begun signaling a plan to cut off sign-and-trade conversations entirely.”
Slater further reported that Kuminga is “interested in gaining more playing time” and that the Kings are a potential destination, but the Warriors are not receiving their requested return, which is a young player and at least a first-round pick without taking on poor contracts.
In the 2024–25 season, Kuminga appeared in 47 games, started 10, and averaged 15.3 points per game. He missed time due to an ankle injury. If not traded, he could return to the Warriors on an expiring deal for the 2025–26 season to gain leverage in unrestricted free agency.
Chicago Bulls Could Add Claxton and Giddey
In the proposed trade, the Chicago Bulls would receive:
- Nic Claxton, a shot-blocking center
- Josh Giddey, under a new four-year, $98 million contract
- A 2026 second-round draft pick from the Atlanta Hawks
Claxton and Giddey are described as young, controllable players who could help address the Bulls’ needs on defense and playmaking.
Nets Receive Kuminga, Vučević, and Protected 2028 First-Round Pick
If the trade proceeds, the Brooklyn Nets would receive:
- Jonathan Kuminga via sign-and-trade
- Nikola Vučević
- 2028 first-round pick (top-5 protected)
This package would provide the Nets with young talent in Kuminga, a veteran big man in Vučević, and a future draft asset. These additions would contribute to a rebuild centered on athleticism and versatility.
Boston Celtics Also Reportedly Eyeing Claxton
Separate from the three-team trade scenario, Nets on SI’s Jed Katz reported that the Boston Celtics are considering Nic Claxton as a trade target to address their frontcourt depth.
Boston’s frontcourt has been reshaped by several confirmed and expected departures:
- Jrue Holiday – traded
- Karistaps Porzingis – moved to balance salary
- Luke Kornet – leaving via free agency
- Al Horford – expected to depart this summer
Nic Claxton has signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The deal features a declining structure, offering potential advantages for teams like the Boston Celtics navigating luxury tax rules and upcoming contract extensions.
One proposed swap is:
- Celtics receive: Nic Claxton
- Nets receive: Anfernee Simons
Simons, who was recently acquired by Boston, has a contract similar in value and length (three years). This one-for-one trade would provide Boston with rim protection and Brooklyn with additional scoring.
