A former lottery pick tied to the Miami Heat in recent rumors may have suggested on social media over the weekend that a potential move could be brewing.
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga on Sunday posted a photo to his Instagram page with his back facing the camera and three peace sign emojis (✌️), prompting many to wonder if the post was a goodbye message.
Jonathan Kuminga on IG 👀 pic.twitter.com/5PZlueu1fs
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 23, 2024
Jonathan Kuminga could be part of a trade package that sends Heat star Jimmy Butler to the Warriors.
This is relevant to the Heat because Kuminga could be a central part of a trade that sends Jimmy Butler to Golden State.
The Warriors are among several teams reported to have considerable interest in trading for Butler. The Heat, losers of three straight, are reportedly listening to offers for Butler. According to reports, Butler would be open to playing for Golden State, as well as the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns.
Of the players that Miami could acquire in exchange for Butler, Kuminga might be the most polorizing. The seventh pick in the 2021 draft, Kuminga hasn’t emerged as the no. 2 scoring option the Warriors had hoped he could develop into next to Stephen Curry.
Instead, Kuminga’s numbers have dipped in his fourth season. He’s posting 15.1 points on 43.6% shooting (32.3% on 3s), 4.4 rebounds and 2 assists as his role on the team has fluctuated. Kuminga has started in 10 of his 25 games as the Warriors continue to search for his best place in the rotation.
Over the weekend, Warriors coach Steve Kerr seemed to suggest that he was unhappy with Kuminga’s shot selection.
“When you have Steph Curry on the team, you pass the ball,” Kerr told reporters. “So it’s a choice. We can either do that and win games or we can shoot a whole bunch of 15-foot, contested shots in the middle of the shot clock and be a lousy NBA team.”
Kuminga is in the final year of his rookie contract and is reportedly seeking a maximum contract extension. The Warriors declined to sign Kuminga to an extension before the season, keeping the possibility open for him to be included in a mid-season trade.
If the Heat were to trade Butler to the Warriors, then a package would likely be built around Andrew Wiggins, expiring salaries of Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney, and potentially Kuminga.
Acquiring Kuminga will mean facing the same decision about his next contract. It’s unclear how the Heat’s front office feels about Kuminga’s upside. If they believe he can develop into a future All-Star alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, then acquiring him could be a no-brainer. If not, then a trade gets more complicated.