Over the last eight-ish months, the Miami Heat had been linked to Jonathan Kuminga on the trade market twice. However, especially with how he's hit a wall recently, the decision to pass on the polarizing young player just keeps looking better and better.
Sure, the Heat have some issues of their own, but the addition (and investment) in Kuminga just would've made things so much worse. At this point, it's best that the Heat opted against acquiring Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors.
Despite the Heat's interest in Kuminga last summer and then again closer to the NBA Trade Deadline, Miami didn't pursue strong enough. Ultimately, Kuminga was traded to the Atlanta Hawks.
Jonathan Kuminga's honeymoon is over
After two strong games with the Hawks, Kuminga has recently struggled to find his footing.
In his first two games with the Hawks, Kuminga was averaging 18.5 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 63 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. Since then, though, the Kuminga magic has slowly worn off.
Over his last nine games, Kuminga is averaging eight points, five rebounds, and two assists on just 35 percent shooting from the field. His minutes have also taken a bit of a tumble, going from averaging 27.5 minutes per game in his first two games with Atlanta compared to 20 in his next nine.
I'm sure the Hawks aren't at the point where they're going to "give up" on Kuminga, but it's clear that he's much more of an experimental project than perhaps many thought. Even some Heat fans.
For a Heat team that has some headaches of its own that they have to figure out, adding another one in the way of Kuminga would've complicated their entire situation much more.
Miami will already have its hands full with deciding the futures of Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. They didn't need to add Kuminga's uncertainties to their plate, especially with how his play has quietly regressed after a strong start in Atlanta.
Heat must search for the right trade risk
As the Heat prepare to scour the trade market once again this summer, this is a team that needs to find the right trade gamble that makes sense for them.
In many ways, Kuminga didn't fit right now for the Heat. But that doesn't mean they're going to continue to shy away from other trade risks in the future.
The Heat has built much of its franchise success on taking risks via trades. I'd be shocked if their philosophy is suddenly going to change. It's not. But this front office will continue to be patient until they find the right fit.
Pat Riley's white whale is Giannis Antetokounmpo, and that's where this team's focus is going to be this summer. But if they falter on that front, you can almost bet that the Heat will explore other avenues to improve the roster.
And there's at least a small chance that will include taking a flier via trade. Kuminga was not the right fit, and the Heat have certainly been vindicated with his struggles of late.