The Golden State Warriors are facing a pivotal stretch as the NBA trade deadline looms on February 5, and all signs point to movement on the horizon. Jonathan Kuminga, the high-upside forward who once looked like a future franchise piece, reportedly wants out - and he's willing to go wherever opportunity knocks. That puts pressure on the Warriors' front office to make a move, especially with Jimmy Butler sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL.
Enter Miami - and potentially, a familiar face.
According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, Golden State is “expected to explore” a potential deal with the Heat that would send Kuminga to South Beach in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, the former No. 1 overall pick and a key cog in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run. Wiggins, of course, was traded to Miami last year as part of the deal that brought Butler to the Bay. Now, with Butler out and the Warriors scrambling to stay relevant in the West, a reunion with Wiggins might be back on the table.
The idea makes sense on several levels. Wiggins knows the Warriors' system.
He’s played alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and his two-way versatility was instrumental during their last title run. He defended at a high level, knocked down timely shots, and fit seamlessly into Golden State’s motion-heavy offense.
Bringing him back would inject some much-needed stability into a roster that’s lacked consistency all season.
But this isn’t just a one-for-one plug-and-play situation. Wiggins is currently a major piece in Miami’s rotation, helping the Heat stay in the mix for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference. Any deal would need to make sense for both sides, and it’s not clear if Kuminga alone would get it done.
From Golden State’s perspective, the urgency is real. With Butler out, the swing-for-the-fences trade they made last season has lost its payoff.
Kuminga, despite his flashes of brilliance, hasn’t found the consistent role he needs to thrive in Steve Kerr’s system. If he’s ready for a fresh start, and if the Warriors can bring back a proven playoff performer like Wiggins, the move could help stabilize a team still trying to maximize the Curry era.
Meanwhile, Miami could see Kuminga as a high-upside addition - a young, athletic forward who could thrive in Erik Spoelstra’s development-focused culture. If the Heat believe they can unlock his potential, this may be the kind of forward-thinking move that keeps them competitive now while building for the future.
Bottom line: with the deadline approaching, both teams have reason to pick up the phone. The Warriors need a win-now piece.
The Heat might be willing to gamble on youth. And Andrew Wiggins?
He might just find himself back in the Bay, right where it all clicked.