The Miami Heat enter the 2025 NBA free agency period at a crossroads. After a disappointing first-round sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the franchise faces mounting pressure to retool and return to contention. The front office, led by Pat Riley and Andy Elisburg, has already made significant moves, including a sign-and-trade that sent sharpshooter Duncan Robinson to Detroit in exchange for Simone Fontecchio. Yet, as the dust settles, it’s clear that Miami’s work is far from finished. The Heat still have a glaring need that must be addressed if they hope to maximize the prime years of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro and reignite their championship aspirations.
Miami’s core remains built around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, with promising young center Kel’el Ware, Davion Mitchell and the recently trade for Fontecchio providing support. The team also retained Duncan Robinson, whose shooting remains a valuable asset. However, the departure of Jimmy Butler has left a significant void in both leadership and two-way production. The Heat’s current roster lacks a dynamic wing who can create offense, defend multiple positions, and take pressure off Adebayo and Herro in crunch time.
The Heat’s bench has improved with the addition of Fontecchio, but the starting lineup is still missing a versatile forward who can impact both ends of the floor. Miami’s offense stagnated at times last season, and their defense, once a hallmark of the franchise, slipped without a true perimeter stopper. The need for a high-upside wing is more urgent than ever.
Jonathan Kuminga Is the Answer
Jonathan Kuminga, the Golden State Warriors’ athletic forward, is the type of player Miami desperately needs. At just 22, Kuminga is a restricted free agent after declining a five-year, $150 million extension last offseason, betting on himself to secure a bigger role and payday. His blend of size, athleticism, and two-way potential is rare, and he’s shown flashes of stardom when given the opportunity, most notably averaging over 24 points per game on 55% shooting during a critical playoff stretch for Golden State.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are in a state of flux. Their cap sheet is bloated, and the fit between Kuminga and Steve Kerr’s system has always been uneasy. While Golden State can match any offer for Kuminga, the lack of a robust market and their own roster needs make a sign-and-trade scenario increasingly plausible. For Miami, this is the moment to strike.
The Heat’s asset chest isn’t overflowing, but it’s not empty either. They have several mid-sized contracts like Haywood Highsmith and possibly Kyle Anderson that can be aggregated in trades. Young players like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic are intriguing, though Miami would prefer to keep at least one for internal development. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are core pieces, unlikely to be moved unless a true superstar becomes available.
Financially, Miami is over the cap but not deep into the luxury tax, giving them some flexibility to take on salary in a sign-and-trade. The Heat can also offer future draft picks, though their war chest is somewhat depleted from past deals. Still, for a player of Kuminga’s age and upside, it’s worth consolidating assets.
The Trade Proposal
To acquire Jonathan Kuminga, Miami must work within the NBA’s sign-and-trade rules for restricted free agents. If Kuminga signs a new deal with the Warriors and is then traded, his outgoing salary counts at the new contract value, but the Warriors can only take back half that amount due to base-year compensation rules if they are over the cap. This makes the math tricky, but not impossible.
Miami Heat receive:
- Jonathan Kuminga
Golden State Warriors receive:
- Kyle Anderson
- Haywood Highsmith
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2028 second-round pick
This deal gives Golden State a proven shooter in Robinson, an expiring contract in Highsmith, and valuable draft capital. For Miami, it’s a bold swing for a player who could be a franchise cornerstone. The Heat may need to include additional second-rounders or a young player like Jovic to sweeten the pot, depending on market competition.
Why This Move Makes Sense for Miami
Kuminga’s fit in Miami is tantalizing. The Heat have long prided themselves on player development and maximizing athletic, versatile wings. Kuminga’s defensive upside, transition scoring, and ability to play both forward spots would give Erik Spoelstra a dynamic weapon to pair with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. He’s not a finished product, but Miami’s culture is tailor-made to help him reach his ceiling.
This move signals a clear direction, Miami is building for the future, not just treading water. By investing in Kuminga, the Heat can re-energize their fanbase and give themselves a legitimate shot at developing a new star, rather than chasing aging veterans or overpaying in a weak free agent market.
