Inside The Heat

Heat Predicted To Pry NBA Champion Away From Warriors In Expensive Free Agency Move

Anthony Pasciolla|
Mar 4, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley applauds Chris Bosh during a brief ceremony during the game between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Mar 4, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley applauds Chris Bosh during a brief ceremony during the game between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Miami Heat team president Pat Riley made his intentions clear that the organization does not intend to run it back next season.

Whether this means chasing a superstar potentially on the trade market like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo or acquiring young stars who can further develop remains to be seen. If Riley and the Heat's front office opt for the latter route, Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is a premier option.

ClutchPoints predicts that Miami will chase Kuminga in restricted free agency and hopefully outbid the Warriors.

"If the Heat want to swing for upside without compromising financial flexibility, then restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is an ideal target," ClutchPoints' Enzo Flojo wrote. "At just 22 years old, Kuminga is still scratching the surface of his potential. Miami could be the perfect environment to unlock it."

After averaging 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds on 45.4 percent shooting in the 2025 regular season, Kuminga has fallen almost entirely out of Golden State's rotation in the playoffs. It's hard to say if the Warriors would even waste their time forking up a significant offer to try and keep him in town.

As Flojo pointed out, the Heat's developmental system is among the best in the NBA. While the current caliber Kuminga plays at is not worth a huge contract, he has plenty of time to develop into an All-Star.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com