Could Andrew Wiggins Be Headed Back to Golden State? Here's What We Know
The Golden State Warriors may be eyeing a reunion with a familiar face - and a key piece of their 2022 championship run - as reports suggest Andrew Wiggins could be on his way back to the Bay.
Now, Wiggins might not have the flashiest resume - one All-Star appearance, five seasons with the Warriors - but his contributions go way beyond the stat sheet. His two-way presence during that 2022 title run was undeniable.
He defended at a high level, played within the system, and gave the team exactly what it needed when the lights were brightest. That version of Wiggins was the kind of player who helped unlock Golden State's ceiling.
Fast-forward to now: Wiggins is in Miami, having been the centerpiece in last season’s blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Warriors. But with Butler sidelined for the year due to a torn ACL, the Heat’s playoff outlook has shifted - and so have the trade winds.
According to league insider Marc Stein, one scenario gaining traction is a potential swap that would send Jonathan Kuminga to Miami in exchange for Wiggins, bringing the Canadian forward back to Chase Center. The idea is reportedly on the table, and it checks a few important boxes for both teams.
The Kuminga Dilemma
Kuminga’s name has been circulating in trade talks for weeks, especially after his trade request on January 15. The Warriors have explored multiple options, from Michael Porter Jr. to DeMar DeRozan, but nothing has materialized yet.
The sticking point? Golden State is reportedly unwilling to part with future first-round picks - a smart move for a team trying to remain competitive while planning for life after Steph Curry.
That’s where Wiggins comes in. His contract - $28 million - aligns closely with Kuminga’s $22 million deal, making the financial side of things relatively smooth. And if the Warriors can pull off the trade without sacrificing a first-rounder, it becomes a much more palatable move.
Would Wiggins Fit Back In?
This is where things get interesting. The Warriors’ core hasn’t changed much since Wiggins left.
The main tweak? Al Horford now holds down the center spot instead of Kevon Looney.
That’s not a seismic shift, which means Wiggins could slide back into a similar role - defending top wings, spacing the floor, and playing off Curry’s gravity.
This season, Wiggins is averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 47% from the field and a career-best 40% from three. That shooting mark is impressive, even if it comes on fewer attempts than we saw during his peak Warriors years. His scoring numbers are also down compared to his earlier seasons, but that’s largely tied to a reduced role in Miami, where he’s taken a backseat to Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell.
In Golden State, he'd likely see an uptick in usage - and with that, potentially a return to the kind of impact he had during that 2022 run. Playing alongside Steph Curry again could open up the floor in ways he hasn’t experienced in Miami, and the Warriors could certainly use another reliable wing who knows the system and can defend at a high level.
The Bottom Line
Bringing Wiggins back wouldn’t just be a sentimental move - it could be a strategic one. He’s a known commodity in Steve Kerr’s system, a proven playoff performer, and a player who fits the Warriors' timeline as they try to squeeze more contention out of the Curry era.
The question now is whether the front office believes Wiggins can still be that guy - and whether they’re ready to move on from Kuminga, a young talent with upside but an uncertain fit in the present.
If the Warriors pull the trigger, it could be a reunion that makes a lot of sense - for both sides.