Warriors trade idea brings back 6-foot-7 NBA champion forward, ends Jonathan Kuminga experiment

The Golden State Warriors have found themselves in the same spot they were during the early stages of the 2024-25 season. 

While the Dubs were far from bottom feeders, they lacked elite offensive firepower across the board, prompting them to complete a blockbuster trade to pair Stephen Curry with Jimmy Butler. 

So far this season, Butler and Curry have carried their weight on the offensive end, but haven’t received high-level production from the rest of the pack, which could compel the franchise to make another groundbreaking deal. 

In an interesting trade idea crafted by Sports Illustrated’s Joey Akeley, Golden State would reunite with a 6-foot-7 NBA champion wing and end the Jonathan Kuminga experiment in the Bay.

“Since joining the (Miami) Heat, (Andrew) Wiggins' on/off numbers have been brutal,” Akeley wrote Friday. “The Heat were 6.1 points per 100 possessions better with him off the floor last year, per Cleaning the Glass. They are 17.2 (!) points per possession better with him off the floor this year.”

“Wiggins has a $30.2 million player option next year the Heat likely don't want him to exercise. So a Kuminga trade would do two things–it would give Miami more financial flexibility next season, and it would clear small forward minutes for players who might fit better, including possibly Kuminga.”

“The Warriors would be betting that Wiggins' defense hasn't fallen off. They don't have to worry about his offense, which has been steady this year (18.1 points per game, 36.5 three-point shooting percentage).”

The Dubs were forced to sacrifice Wiggins in a midseason deal to land Butler last season, but it’s reasonable to assume the organization is open to bringing him back for another stint. 

Wiggins was a mediocre long-range shooter with the Minnesota Timberwolves at the start of his NBA career. 

However, upon joining the three-point-heavy Dubs in 2020, Wiggins elevated his perimeter shooting, shooting above 37% on three occasions and gaining confidence along the way. 

Without Wiggins, it’s hard to imagine the Warriors defeating the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA finals to secure title No. 7. 

Although the Kansas product is far from an above-average defender, his familiarity/ past success with Golden State, combined with Kuminga’s downward spiral, could make a monster wing swap come to life this season.

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