The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads with Jonathan Kuminga, as the young forward recorded his sixth DNP in eight games during Friday's Game 6 against Houston. This ongoing rotation absence has fueled growing speculation about Kuminga's future with the organization.
Industry insiders increasingly believe that Kuminga and Golden State will part ways this offseason when he becomes a restricted free agent, potentially through a sign-and-trade arrangement that could benefit both parties.
Interestingly, one scenario gaining traction involves a possible reunion with Andrew Wiggins, who was traded to Miami just months ago in the Jimmy Butler blockbuster deal. Wiggins had spent five productive years with Golden State, including a pivotal role as their second-best player during the 2022 championship run.
Wiggins' time in Miami has been a mixed bag - solid regular-season performance followed by a disappointing playoff showing. With the Heat now evaluating their roster direction, Wiggins' $28.2 million contract presents both opportunity and flexibility.
Industry reports suggest Miami had previous interest in Kuminga, even during initial Butler-Wiggins trade discussions. A sign-and-trade sending Kuminga to Miami could potentially bring Wiggins back to the Bay Area, though additional assets might be required to balance the financial equation.
This wouldn't be unprecedented for the Warriors, who previously traded James Wiseman to reunite with Gary Payton II shortly after letting him leave in free agency. According to Statbet analysis, the Warriors have struggled to find consistent third scoring options behind Curry and Butler this postseason, an area where Wiggins previously excelled.
As Game 6 demonstrated, Golden State's supporting cast failed to provide sufficient offensive production, with no player beyond Curry and Butler scoring more than 13 points. Wiggins' return could potentially address this scoring imbalance while bringing back a player already familiar with the Warriors' system.
