The Golden State Warriors are playing hardball with Jonathan Kuminga, but, in the process, they may end up gifting the Miami Heat the perfect star free agent target for the 2026 offseason.
Golden State's asking price in any sign-and-trade deal for Kuminga remains high. Too high for interested parties. The fact that it's August and Kuminga is still on the restricted free agency market proves that point.
It's gotten to the point where there appears to be a growing chance that Kuminga ends up electing to play for the one-year qualifying offer to bet on himself and then to hit unrestricted free agency next summer. If that were to happen, the Heat would be one of the few teams in a prime position to make a bold move for the budding star.
The Heat could be big players in 2026
Even though the Heat isn't projected to have a ton of cap space next summer at the moment, that could change drastically if they end up trading Andrew Wiggins at some point before the NBA Trade Deadline. If the Heat wanted, they could get to a point where they have plenty of wiggle room to operate comfortably in free agency next summer.
That's why they could reemerge as a potential landing spot for Kuminga if he does end up betting on himself this season.
If Kuminga plays for the qualifying offer this year, and then becomes an unrestricted free agent after another standout year, it will put him in a position to emerge as arguably the best free agent on the open market. That's where the Heat could look to make a move outright for Kuminga in free agency.
Kuminga can be a fit for the Heat
If Kuminga begins to answer some of the concerns surrounding his 3-point shooting and overall consistency on the offensive end of the floor, he could be viewed as somewhat of an ideal fit next to Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt.
Such a move for the Heat would make even more sense if they get to a point where they're not willing to significantly invest in Nikola Jovic's future (who will also be a free agent next summer).
Kuminga is an extremely talented player who has yet to hit his ceiling. If he can take another big step forward in his development this season, he could find himself back on that star track. And if the Heat is looking to acquire a star player next summer, Kuminga could emerge as a very possible target for Miami.
And after the team reportedly kicked tires on the idea of acquiring Kuminga, the Heat revisiting that interest wouldn't at all be that surprising.
Miami needs a star player, and if Kuminga makes the jump this season, perhaps he could emerge as a plausible target to get the franchise back on a championship track.