The Warriors and Heat have had conversations about the possibility of a trade that would send forward Andrew Wiggins back to Golden State, according to reports from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) and Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Wiggins was initially dealt from the Warriors to the Heat in the Jimmy Butler blockbuster at last season’s trade deadline. However, with Butler recovering from an ACL tear and Kuminga’s days in Golden State seemingly numbered, the Warriors’ search for help on the wing has led them back to the former No. 1 overall pick, who is still highly regarded within the organization, sources tell Siegel.
A Golden State offer for Wiggins would almost certainly start with Kuminga, and Miami has shown some interest in acquiring the fifth-year forward, according to Siegel. Still, there are several factors which could complicate talks between the two clubs.
For one, chatter around the NBA indicates the Heat have been seeking at least one first-round pick in exchange for Wiggins, per Siegel. It’s unclear whether the Warriors have conveyed a willingness to put a first-rounder on the table.
Golden State is also operating right up against a second-apron hard cap and would need to add more salary beyond Kuminga’s $22.5MM cap hit to take back Wiggins, who is earning $28.2MM this season, with a $30.2MM player option for 2026/27. Adding Moses Moody ($11.6MM) or Buddy Hield ($9.2MM) would make it a legal trade for the Warriors, but the Heat would have their own reservations about taking on much additional money, since they’re operating just $1.6MM below the luxury tax line.
Finally, if they do part with Wiggins, the Heat would prefer to use his salary to bring back a star-level player, Fischer writes. Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is one such player, and the fact that both Miami and Golden State reportedly covet the two-time MVP would presumably make it more difficult for the two teams to work out a separate trade that could impact their chances of making a play for Giannis.
The Bucks have “long coveted” Wiggins, according to Fischer, though he points out that Milwaukee’s interest in the 30-year-old has been framed as part of the team’s efforts to upgrade its roster around Antetokounmpo. It remains to be seen whether Wiggins would still appeal to the Bucks as part of a package for Giannis.
In 43 games (all starts) for the Heat this season, Wiggins has averaged 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in 31.3 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .470/.390/.789.