The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have reportedly held discussions about a potential trade that would send Andrew Wiggins back to the Bay Area-a reunion that, just a year after his departure, could signal a strategic pivot for both franchises.
Wiggins, who was part of the blockbuster deal that brought Jimmy Butler to Miami at last season’s trade deadline, has remained a respected figure within the Warriors organization. And with Butler sidelined due to an ACL injury and Jonathan Kuminga’s future in Golden State increasingly uncertain, the Warriors are exploring familiar territory in their search for wing help.
According to league sources, any serious offer from Golden State would likely begin with Kuminga. The Heat are said to have interest in the 21-year-old forward, who’s shown flashes of upside but hasn’t fully solidified his role in Steve Kerr’s rotation. Still, getting a deal done is far from straightforward.
For starters, Miami is reportedly seeking at least one first-round pick in any Wiggins deal. It’s not yet clear whether Golden State is willing to meet that price.
The Warriors are already navigating the tightrope of the second-apron hard cap, and the financial math isn’t simple. Kuminga’s $22.5 million salary doesn’t quite match Wiggins’ $28.2 million cap hit this season, so the Warriors would need to include another contract to make the numbers work.
Names like Moses Moody ($11.6 million) and Buddy Hield ($9.2 million) have come up as potential salary fillers. But while that might satisfy the league’s trade rules, it introduces another layer of complexity. Miami is operating just $1.6 million below the luxury tax line and may be hesitant to take on additional salary unless it moves the needle in a major way.
And that leads to the bigger picture. If the Heat do move Wiggins, they’d prefer to use his contract as a vehicle to land a star-caliber player.
One name that’s been consistently linked to both teams? Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While there’s no indication a trade for the two-time MVP is imminent, the fact that both Miami and Golden State are reportedly eyeing the Bucks superstar adds another wrinkle to any potential Wiggins deal. Neither team wants to make a move now that could undercut their chances of landing Giannis later.
Interestingly, the Bucks themselves have “long coveted” Wiggins, according to league chatter. That interest appears to be more about building around Giannis than using Wiggins as a trade chip, but it underscores the 30-year-old’s continued value around the league.
Wiggins has been solid in Miami this season, starting all 43 games and averaging 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He’s shooting an efficient .470 from the field, .390 from three, and .789 from the line-numbers that reflect his steady two-way presence, even if he’s not the headline-grabbing star he once was projected to be.
For Golden State, bringing Wiggins back would be more than just a nostalgic move-it could be a calculated attempt to stabilize a wing rotation that’s lacked consistency. For Miami, the calculus is different: with Butler out, the Heat must weigh short-term needs against long-term goals, especially if a bigger fish like Giannis is in their sights.
Bottom line: there’s mutual interest, but also mutual hesitation. The framework for a Wiggins return is there, but until both teams align on value-financially and strategically-this remains a conversation, not yet a conclusion.