The contract stalemate between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors could lead to the Congolese forward accepting his one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
In a perfect world, the Warriors would prefer to get back pieces for Kuminga rather than losing the fifth-year forward for nothing. The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns have been most aggressive in their pursuit of Kuminga, but haven’t been able to put together an offer that sparked Golden State’s interest.
The Suns — who don’t have any tradeable first-round picks — are unable to entice the Warriors due to their lack of draft assets. As such, they may need to involve other franchises in a multi-team trade — to get the Warriors a decent haul. Fadeaway World proposed one such Warriors trade that would see the Bay Area franchise land three rotational players, including one with upside.
Kuminga for 3 Rotational Players
The proposed trade would also see the Heat acquire veteran guard CJ McCollum and the Wizards acquire Buddy Hield and Terry Rozier.
Warriors would receive: Grayson Allen, Haywood Highsmith, Nick Richards
Heat would receive: CJ McCollum
Suns would receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade)
Wizards would receive: Terry Rozier, Buddy Hield, 2027 second-round pick (OKC/NYK/SAS swap), 2031 second-round pick (PHX), 2032 second-round pick (MIA), 2032 second-round pick (GSW)
“All three arrive on easily movable contracts, plugging holes in a rotation that largely sputtered without two-way wings last season,” Eddie Bitar wrote of the Warriors adding Allen, Highsmith and Richards.
“It’s a three-for-one stunner that doesn’t hamstring the war chest for possible future moves like a Giannis deal or reactionary swaps. Yes, Warriors loyalists will howl that Golden State traded away Kuminga’s upside. But the reality?
“They salvage short-term competitiveness while keeping a liquor-tax line open, protect their first-round equity, and realign around Curry’s last full season. It’s pragmatic, calculated turmoil, not a blow-it-up cleanse.”
Heat Are High on Highsmith
According to multiple insiders, the Miami Heat were unwilling to part with journeyman wing Haywood Highsmith in a potential Kevin Durant trade, as they like his ability to play perimeter defense and make threes at an efficient clip. Last season, Highsmith rated consistently as a plus-level defender while making 38% of his threes.
ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote on June 22, “The Heat made multiple offers for Durant but ultimately turned down the opportunity to place Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jović, Haywood Highsmith, the No. 20 pick and other draft assets in a deal, sources said.”
The Heat had their reasons for holding onto Highsmith, but a player like McCollum could bolster their lackluster offense, Bitar argued.
“Miami acquires a veteran with a documented history of postseason role-play and chemistry in dumb-dumb crunch time. He’s pricey, north of $30 million, but in these playoffs, that price buys forward momentum, not entitlement drama. Bottom line: this is the perfect “rental + return pick” impulse Miami should lean into if they want to tighten up perimeter offenses and remain relevant past April.
“McCollum’s presence signals clarity of purpose, not cap toxicity, added seasoning without turning them into apologists. Risk? Some ball-stopping. Reward? Minutes that no summer rookie will ever be able to guarantee under playoff lights.”
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