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Nov 12, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) and forward Andrew Wiggins (22) battle for position with Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Jonathan Kuminga’s $48.5M Contract Could Hurt Lakers as Warriors Urged to Move for LA’s Long-Time Target

Originally posted on EssentiallySports
By Anuj Talwalkar | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 11:26 AM ET

Jonathan Kuminga may have signed a deal to help the Warriors. However, the relationship between the two parties is murky. The feeling looming in the air is an inevitable trade preferably before the deadline. Finding a suitor for a contract designed to be torn up next season may be hard, but not if the team has been after JK. Moreover, the Warriors could get a familiar face in return.

According to Sam Vecenie, the Miami Heat’s Andrew Wiggins could be a sought-after player during the season. Notably, he feels title contenders could thrive with the former number one pick as their wing. And he thinks Kuminga’s first-year salary could be used to facilitate a trade that sees Wiggins return to the Bay.

“If the Warriors were to move Kuminga for Wiggins again and you get like the shooter spacer into the lineup with Curry, Draymond, Butler, and Horford, that’s like a pretty dangerous team immediately in my opinion. Like, I actually wonder if Wiggins is the name that like could swing the picture a little bit more than what people would anticipate just given the fact that he is a shooter. He’s become a really good defender,” he said on the Game Theory podcast.

Andrew Wiggins’ name did come up in trade talks over the summer. The Lakers apparently had an interest in making a move for the two-way veteran. In that sense, the Warriors could kill two birds with one stone.

Steve Kerr has continually said he can’t feature Jonathan Kuminga heavily because it compromises floor spacing. Wiggins saw a resurgence in Miami, averaging 19 points in 17 games for the Heat. Furthermore, he also shot 36% from distance. If they manage to swoop him from Miami, it would hurt the Lakers while improving the Warriors’ chances at a championship.

The Warriors will have to add more to Jonathan Kuminga. But with the Heat’s long interest in acquiring the 22-year-old, he can certainly be the centerpiece of a package for Wiggins. But will Miami want to part ways?

The Heat may have a steep asking price for Andrew Wiggins

Everyone knows the story of Wiggins landing in Miami. The Warriors saw an opportunity to upgrade and extend their championship window with Stephen Curry by having Jimmy Butler join the team. That came as a shock to Wiggins. So, given the nature of the exit, he may not be open to moving back to the Warriors.

But he doesn’t have a no-trade clause like LeBron James. The decision lies with the Miami Heat. It was reported that they had plans to splurge in the 2026 offseason. But with most stars on deals, it’s unlikely for them to hold those expectations. But they could still position themselves for a major roster shake-up.

Notably, Andrew Wiggins’ $30 million player option next season could be used as a trade asset. The franchise also signed Nikola Jovic to an extension. Albeit, the dynamic forward could be seen as an integral part of the future. Nonetheless, the Heat have several contracts they could use to welcome a franchise cornerstone to join Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

Jonathan Kuminga doesn’t move the needle that much when it comes to hunting for a championship. Moreover, Wiggins’ sublime performances for the Heat make him invaluable to the franchise as it tries to stay competitive. With Herro’s recent injury, Miami may not look to move on from one of its core players.

The trade could still happen. However, it has several obstacles that complicate business. If both teams can manage to make a deal without compromising their vision, Wiggins could be with the Warriors again. It’s just hard to see them being on matching timelines.

This article first appeared on EssentiallySports and was syndicated with permission.

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