As we've gotten deeper and deeper into the NBA offseason, it's become more and more clear that the Miami Heat never had a real shot to land Jonathan Kuminga. The Golden State Warriors' rumored outrageous demands from the Sacramento Kings certainly prove that.
According to recent reports, the Warriors are demanding a fully unprotected first-round pick from the Kings in order to help accommodate a sign-and-trade of Kuminga.
At least thus far, the Kings haven't been willing to meet Golden State's asking price. That's the biggest reason why the Warriors are close to ending all sign-and-trade discussions involving Kuminga, which would almost certainly lead him to signing the one-year qualifying offer with the Warriors.
That would make way for Kuminga to hit unrestricted free agency next summer.
The Heat never had a shot to land Kuminga
If it is true that the Warriors are playing hardball with the Kings for Kuminga, it just hammers down the idea that Miami never had a chance to acquire the young star.
It was enough of a stretch to envision the Heat offering Kuminga the huge contract he was seeking on the open market. To think that the Heat were going to pay Kuminga the huge contract while also parting ways with an unprotected first-round pick is pretty delusional.
Either way, it's probably best that the Heat decide against a full-blown pursuit of Kuminga. I'm sure the Heat kicked tires on the idea of such a move, but it does seem as if cooler heads prevailed.
Even though there are some within the fan base that aren't happy with the Heat's offseason approach, Kuminga represented too much of a risk. And the fact that there still isn't a resolution on his future proves that.
Heat are still lining up a big move in the future
Miami may have passed on the opportunity to acquire Kuminga, but there will be other chances for the Heat to add star talent in the future. There was no need for Miami to make a panic move for a huge unknown.
Much less having to do so while including a significant draft asset in the process.
Is there a chance that Kuminga blossoms into a star player on a new team (or the Warriors) within the next few years? Sure. At the same rate, there will also be other opportunities for the Heat to strike big via trade or free agency with other star players. Many of which won't come with the great risk that exists with Kuminga.
As the Warriors continue to try to pry a significant asset away from teams interested in Kuminga, it's probably best that they checked out of that pursuit early on in the process.
