INSIDER REPORT: WARRIORS AND HEAT DISCUSSING KUMINGA-FOR-ANDREW WIGGINS SWAP AHEAD OF TRADE DEADLINE
Golden State and Miami are discussing a framework to send Andrew Wiggins back to the Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga. Details here.
The Golden State Warriors are still working the phones as the NBA trade deadline creeps closer, and now, word is they’re seriously looking at bringing Andrew Wiggins back. Wiggins was a big piece of their 2022 championship run, and it seems like the idea of a reunion is gaining real traction.
Brett Siegel from ClutchPoints says the Warriors and the Miami Heat have been talking about a possible Wiggins deal. Miami just lost Jimmy Butler for the season with a torn ACL, and on top of that, Jonathan Kuminga still isn’t happy in Golden State. The timing’s no coincidence.
Siegel put it straight: X: There’s been a lot of talk the last few days about what it would take to get Wiggins back to the Bay. The Warriors aren’t sitting still—they’re all over this trade market.
NBA insider Jake Fischer added more fuel to the fire on Tuesday. According to him, these talks between Golden State and Miami aren’t just “feeling things out” anymore. There’s a real trade framework on the table: Kuminga could go to the Heat, and Wiggins heads back to the Warriors. Fischer said it’s not just loose chatter—both teams are serious about it.
Marc Stein’s reporting lines up with all this. He wrote last week that a Kuminga-for-Wiggins swap is definitely on the table and worth watching, especially after Wiggins was sent to Miami for Butler last February. Now, with everything flipped by Butler’s injury, the idea of bringing Wiggins back suddenly makes a lot of sense.
Put all these reports together, and it’s clear: Golden State is seriously thinking about reuniting with Wiggins, and Kuminga’s at the centre of it.
Butler’s injury totally changed the Warriors’ plans on the wing. They brought him in last season, thinking he’d anchor both sides of the court and help push them deep in the playoffs. Now, with Butler out, the Warriors are short on reliable wings. And honestly, that’s where Wiggins comes in—he has already proved he can fill that role at a championship level.
Wiggins’ impact during the 2022 title run is still fresh in everyone’s mind. He was their second-best player behind Steph Curry, made the All-Star team, and stepped up again and again when it mattered. In those playoffs, he averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 boards, and nearly 2 assists a night, shooting almost 47 per cent. Game 5 of the Finals? Wiggins dropped 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, helping the Warriors take a crucial 3-2 lead over Boston.
That run really showed what Wiggins can do—defend elite scorers, rebound, and fit perfectly in Steve Kerr’s system. Those are exactly the things the Warriors need right now.
Funny enough, just before Butler went down, Steve Kerr was reflecting on Wiggins. When Miami visited Golden State last week, Kerr had nothing but praise for his former forward. “Wiggs is just such a great human being and beloved in our locker room,” Kerr said. “He helped us turn things around after that rough two-year stretch. Coaching him was a joy every single day.”
Kerr also admitted that roster changes always hit differently. “It’s crazy how this business works,” he said. “You go through a lot together, then you make a trade. The relationship is still there, but it changes.”
Now, Kerr’s words feel like more than just nostalgia. As the Golden State decides whether to roll the dice on Kuminga’s potential or go with what they know in Wiggins, it all comes down to trust, chemistry, and postseason fit.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
