One team that didn't possess a pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft was the Golden State Warriors after they decided to trade away their selection in a trade that brought in Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat back in February.
It's looking like the Warriors and Heat are still interested in making more acquisitions as the league turns to the offseason, and one player who has grown as a potential suitor for the Heat is forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga Warriors
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.
© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
After Kuminga's relationship with Steve Kerr has been declining in the past year, the 22-year-old's name has been floating in trade talks while he takes on the NBA offseason as a restricted free agent.
Miami missed out on Kevin Durant after the Houston Rockets acquired him in a trade on June 22, and the Heat may now be shifting their focus to Jonathan Kuminga.
Senior NBA insider Shams Charania spoke on the current situation involving the Heat's interest in Kuminga during the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
"After missing out on Kevin Durant, the Miami Heat are remaining active... One name to keep an eye on that I'm told they (the Miami Heat) are expected to be a potential suitor for is Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga," Charania said.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype also reported that after Jonathan Kuminga's fourth season in the league, he is looking for a more "expanded and consistent role moving forward."
Through Kuminga's first 258 games in the league, he's never averaged more than 26.4 minutes per game in a season with the Golden State Warriors.
After Jimmy Butler was traded to the team, Kuminga's role declined, and the 46 games that he started in 2023-24 turned into just 10 games started in 2024-25.
The 2021 No. 7 overall pick averaged 15.3 PTS, 4.6 REB, and 2.2 AST while shooting 45.4% from the field last season in Golden State.
As a restricted free agent, Kuminga could be signed by the Heat if given an offer sheet beyond the Warriors' budget, or the two teams could work out a potential sign-and-trade deal involving the forward.