Heat should only acquire Jonathan Kuminga under this condition - Hot Hot Hoops

Jonathan Kuminga (Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)

Back track exactly one year ago, the Miami Heat were looking to offload Jimmy Butler to any and every suitor who was willing to give him an extension. However, only the Phoenix Suns — who had the league’s worst contract in Bradley Beal — were interested.

Talks were at a stalemate.

Before Butler was ultimately dealt to Golden State, rumors — aka, speculation — on the street suggested the Heat were interested in Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. Nothing came to fruition regarding the 23-year-old wing. Though there was some reported interest in the summer during Kuminga’s restricted free agency, and again last week after he demanded a trade away from the Warriors.

While none of that suggests a deal will come to fruition, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Golden State could kick the tires on an Andrew Wiggins reunion — specifically for Kuminga.

However, if that’s the case, it should only happen under one circumstance.

Why Heat should not do Kuminga-Wiggins trade without draft capital involved:

Andrew Wiggins (Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

As we briefed here, the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors cannot legally do a one-for-one swap between Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors are hard-capped below the second apron, and such a swap would put them over.

The only feasible way is if the Warriors trim salary either 1.) in this trade or 2.) in a separate deal (as a salary dump). They are less than $300K away from the hard cap. There is little margin for error in what they can send out relative to what they can bring back.

That said, the Heat should not budge in terms of draft capital.

For all intents and purposes, Kuminga’s having the worst season of his career. The disgruntled wing is averaging just 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds, albeit in 23.8 minutes per game. He’s shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from 3-point range.

The former No. 7 overall pick hasn’t consistently impacted winning, lessening his role in the Warriors’ rotation. Golden State eventually brought him back on a two-year, $48 million deal. Though it’s been a headache for everyone involved. Both sides should separate.

While Kuminga’s $24.2 million team option is intriguing, his value is in the gutter. Miami held out for a first-round pick for Wiggins in the offseason. It should do so again here; the Warriors have practically no leverage.

It remains to be seen whether or not the Heat are truly interested in Kuminga. Exploring the option makes sense, though his fit in Miami wouldn’t make much sense. And if they do explore, holding out for a first-round pick is required — even if the Warriors walk away.

Heat should only acquire Jonathan Kuminga under this condition – Hot Hot Hoops

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