One year ago, the Miami Heat were quietly shopping Jimmy Butler, hoping to find a team willing not just to take on the All-Star forward, but to extend him. The market didn’t exactly bite.
Outside of the Phoenix Suns - who were already saddled with Bradley Beal’s massive contract - there wasn’t much interest. Talks stalled, and Butler eventually landed in Golden State.
Now, as the NBA trade landscape shifts again, the Heat and Warriors find themselves back in the same orbit - this time with Jonathan Kuminga at the center of the conversation.
Kuminga, the 23-year-old forward who once flashed promise as a high-upside piece in Golden State’s post-dynasty rebuild, is reportedly unhappy and wants out. Miami has shown interest before - first during the summer when Kuminga was a restricted free agent, and again recently after his trade request became public.
But so far, it’s been just that: interest. Nothing concrete has materialized.
Still, there’s a wrinkle worth watching. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors could be open to reuniting with Andrew Wiggins in a deal centered around Kuminga. That’s where things get complicated - and where Miami needs to tread carefully.
The Salary Cap Snag
Let’s start with the math. A straight-up swap - Kuminga for Wiggins - isn’t legal under current cap rules.
The Warriors are hard-capped below the second apron and can’t take back more money than they send out. They’re less than $300,000 away from that line, so any deal has to be surgically precise.
Golden State would need to either shed salary in the same trade or execute a separate salary-dump move to make it work.
That financial tightrope gives Miami leverage - and they shouldn’t give it up without a price.
Why Miami Should Demand Draft Capital
Kuminga’s stock isn’t exactly soaring. He’s averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in just under 24 minutes per game - numbers that are fine on paper, but don’t tell the whole story.
His shooting splits (45.4% from the field, 32.1% from deep) are middling, and he hasn’t consistently contributed to winning basketball. That’s been reflected in his role: inconsistent minutes, fluctuating responsibilities, and a general sense that both sides are ready for a fresh start.
Golden State re-signed Kuminga to a two-year, $48 million deal, but it’s been a rocky relationship since. Now, with his $24.2 million team option looming, his trade value is at a low point.
That’s why Miami should stand firm. They reportedly held out for a first-round pick in Wiggins-related talks last offseason - and they should do the same now.
The Heat don’t need to rescue the Warriors from a tough situation without getting something meaningful in return. Kuminga may still have untapped potential, but right now, he’s a distressed asset.
And Miami shouldn’t be in the business of buying low without some sweetener attached.
Does Kuminga Even Fit in Miami?
That’s another layer to this. Even if the Heat are intrigued by Kuminga’s athleticism and theoretical upside, the fit isn’t seamless.
Miami’s system demands defensive discipline, offensive versatility, and a high basketball IQ - areas where Kuminga has struggled with consistency. He’s a raw talent, not a plug-and-play contributor, and the Heat aren’t exactly in development mode.
So if Miami does decide to explore this deal, they need to do it on their terms. That means draft capital - ideally a first-rounder - coming back in any package.
If the Warriors balk, so be it. They’re the ones with the unhappy player, the cap crunch, and the urgency to make a move.
For now, it’s all just smoke. But if the fire starts, Miami should make sure it’s not the one getting burned.