The Miami Heat have assembled a lineup with the potential to compete in a depleted Eastern Conference. The arrival of Norman Powell provides the Heat with a sharpshooting wing to complement All-Stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, as well as emerging center Kel’el Ware.
As the Heat look for the missing ingredient to propel the team to the next level, Jonathan Kuminga, a divisive sign-and-trade candidate, must be seriously examined.
Kuminga is in the midst of a whirlwind stint in restricted free agency. He’s been connected to multiple teams, but neither outside suitors nor the Golden State Warriors have offered the 22-year-old’s asking price.
As the Heat analyze their roster and the voids that remain, it’s hard not to think that making a push at Kuminga would be sensible.
Miami has developed a well-balanced rotation that includes Davion Mitchell’s refreshing two-way play, Andrew Wiggins’ experience, and the untapped potential of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and Nikola Jovic. Perhaps those players will be successful in addressing the difficulties that remain.
What Kuminga does provide the Heat is a clear path to adding the slashing scorer who can fill one of the team’s final offensive requirements.
Jonathan Kuminga may check one last box for the Miami Heat.
Kuminga is an undeniably divisive player. He’s an undeniably explosive scorer, but his career 33.2 percent from outside the arc, combined with his 24.3 minutes per game in 2024-25, present a picture of a player who lacks the necessary skill set to fit into a championship team’s rotation.
Kuminga is still only 22 years old, but his scoring potential has been realized on the court throughout both the regular season and the postseason.
Over the last two seasons, Kuminga has averaged 15.8 points per game and 22.2 points per 36 minutes. He also averaged 15.3 points per game on.484/.400/.710 shooting throughout the 2025 NBA Playoffs, with 18 points in each of the Golden State Warriors’ final three games.
Herro is one of the NBA’s most efficient drive scorers, but Kuminga’s consistent scoring success demonstrates that he can provide the necessary depth in that period of the game for Miami.
Jimmy Butler, Davion Mitchell, and Andrew Wiggins are three of the Heat’s top four players in terms of drives per game in 2024-25, having played 30 or less games. Mitchell and Wiggins will return, with the latter likely to shoulder the responsibility of driving from the wings.
Kuminga is a younger alternative to Wiggins, with a salary range that could fit into Miami’s short-term budget as part of a sign-and-trade centered on Terry Rozier.
With Kuminga in the starting lineup, the Heat could move forward with intriguing young players at all five spots. Adebayo would be the only starting older than twenty-five.
This provides a great perspective on how unique the potential is for Miami to continue forward with a productive youthful core.
The danger must be considered in any prospective trade for Kuminga, but the upside is as appealing for perhaps the best remaining free agent.
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