The Miami Heat acquired Andrew Wiggins from the Golden State Warriors last February. (Mandatory Credit: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Last February, the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors completed a five-team blockbuster for star forward Jimmy Butler. The two sides could re-engage for a deal once again, but this time for another disgruntled forward.
As soon as he became eligible to be traded on Jan. 15, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga reportedly “demanded” to be traded. The problem is that there’s essentially no market for the disgruntled 23-year-old, at least according to Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.
However, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line, an option that could be explored is a swap involving Heat wing Andrew Wiggins — who was dealt in the Butler trade.
“League sources tell The Stein Line that one avenue which will certainly be explored is the prospect of a Kuminga-for-Andrew Wiggins swap with Miami that potentially brings Wiggins back to the Bay Area after he was shipped to South Beach last February for Butler,” Stein’s report read. “Yet it must also be noted that the prospect of keeping Kuminga beyond the trade deadline in the hopes that playing him for the rest of the season rebuilds some of his lost value — untenable as that might seem on some level given all the tension that has built up between the parties since last summer’s contentious restricted free agency talks — in indeed on the Warriors’ board.
“Picking up Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option for next season to include that salary in a more impactful offseason trade is seen as a consideration that Golden State will undoubtedly weigh as it considers its next steps.”
What would a Jonathan Kuminga-Andrew Wiggins swap look like?
(Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors cannot legally do a one-for-one swap between the two sides unless they shed at least another $5.5 million.
Currently, the Warriors are $264K away from the $207.8 million second apron. They are hard-capped after using the taxpayer mid-level exception to sign veteran big Al Horford.
Kuminga is under contract for $22.5 million this season with a $24.3 million team option next year. Wiggins, on the other hand, is on the books for $28.2 million this year with a $30.2 million player option. That means that, unless they shed salary elsewhere, they can’t do a one-for-one swap.
Golden State has Moses Moody’s $11.6 million, Buddy Hield’s $9.2 million and Al Horford’s $5.7 million it could offload, as well.
This one-for-one hypothetical would push the Heat above the luxury tax, but they would still be below the first apron. Miami would have more flexibility to either decline Kuminga’s team option in the summer or use it in a trade for 1.) a bigger name as a salary filler or 2.) cheaper assets.
Kuminga’s relationship with Golden State is … tenuous, to put it lightly. He has raw potential, but hasn’t necessarily impacted winning for the last 2-3 seasons. Ultimately, his relationship with head coach Steve Kerr appears to be fractured.
If he’s not impacting winning there, it’s hard to envision him doing the same under head coach Erik Spoelstra. Though it wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Heat to take a flyer, provided the Warriors throw in at least one first-round pick or future pick swap.
The latter should be a non-negotiable.
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