The Golden State Warriors are itching to capture one more NBA title before Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler ride off into the sunset.
In an effort to return to the mountaintop in 2025-26, one NBA writer has suggested that the franchise call on a familiar face to accomplish that goal and keep their dynastic run alive.
"Swapping (Andrew) Wiggins for (Jonathan) Kuminga and (Buddy) Hield works salary cap wise for the Warriors and Hield could be redirected to a third-team to net Miami an additional second-round pick or two and keep them below the luxury tax line," SBNation’s Marc Delucchi wrote Tuesday morning.
"I’m not sure how smart it would be for the Warriors to so heavily prioritize their familiarity with Wiggins, but he remains a solid 3-and-D wing with some inconsistent scoring punch."
It goes without saying that Wiggins enjoyed the most productive campaign of his 11-year career with the Warriors during the 2021-22 season, when he was selected to his first All-Star Game and played a massive role in the team’s 2022 NBA Finals victory over the Boston Celtics.
After the 30-year-old forward was dealt to the Miami Heat at last season’s trade deadline in exchange for the 6-time All-Star Butler, Wiggins managed to contribute 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 17 appearances with Miami to finish the regular season.
Golden State's general manager Mike Dunleavy will likely be gauging the trade market for their up-and-coming combo forward Jonathan Kuminga past the Jan. 15 trade eligibility deadline, and the Miami Heat have been named in the past as a potential suitor.
If the Warriors can reacquire the skilled two-way wing, Curry and Co. could be well on their way to asserting themselves as serious championship contenders in a loaded Western Conference this season.
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