Jonathan Kuminga Reportedly Linked to Heat amid Kevin Durant Trade Rumors
Golden State Warriors impending restricted free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga is reportedly on the Miami Heat's radar for a potential trade if they miss out on a deal for Phoenix Suns superstar forward Kevin Durant.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Heat have "registered a level of interest in Kuminga in previous transaction cycles," making him a potential sign-and-trade target.
Kuminga, 22, was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, and he has flashed immense potential at times since entering the league.
In 2023-24, Kuminga enjoyed a breakout year for the Dubs, averaging a career-high 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc.
As a result, expectations were through the roof for Kuminga entering the 2024-25 campaign, but he failed to live up to them.
Injuries limited Kuminga to 47 games, plus he wasn't as effective when healthy, averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 three-pointer made. His efficiency took a hit as well, as he shot 45.4 percent from the floor and 30.5 percent from deep.
It was somewhat surprising when Kuminga and the Warriors didn't agree to a long-term contract coming off the 2023-24 season, but after he took a step back this season, it is fair to wonder if the Warriors would rather move him than commit to him moving forward.
The Heat are among the teams most closely linked to Durant this offseason, with ESPN's Shams Charania saying last week on the Pat McAfee Show that Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets have been mentioned most often as KD's suitors.
Charania later reported that the Heat, Rockets and San Antonio Spurs are Durant's preferred landing spots, and The Athletic's Sam Amick and Jon Krawczynski named San Antonio as the top team on his wish list.
The Heat have perhaps the most incentive to make a play for Durant since they are built to win now despite going just 37-45 this season.
Adding a 15 All-Star, four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP and one-time NBA MVP to a core of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo could quickly take Miami from a first-round playoff exit to one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
However, if things go south on that front, Kuminga would be an intriguing fallback option in that he is far more of an upside play than a sure thing.
Kuminga could potentially blossom alongside Herro and Adebayo, but it is also possible that he showed his true colors this season, so giving up significant assets and signing him to a big contract undoubtedly carries plenty of risk.
