Stephen Curry could lose key teammate as Heat target Warriors star after failing to get Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant was considered a prime target for the Miami Heat. However, with emerging reports suggesting Durant will join the Houston Rockets next season, the Heat have shifted their focus to other options. According to new insights, the Heat are setting their sights on acquiring a key player from Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors during the offseason.

The Heat faced a turbulent period with former star Jimmy Butler, who departed mid-season to join the Warriors alongside Curry. This unexpected move threw a wrench into their playoff plans, and despite a valiant effort, the team failed to secure a postseason berth.

With Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro now anchoring the roster, the Heat remain determined to enhance their lineup for the upcoming season. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Miami has expressed interest in Warriors teammate Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga, whose playing time was limited last season, is reportedly among the players the Warriors might part ways with. “The Miami Heat are staying active,” Charania noted during Wednesday’s NBA Draft coverage, “and one name I’m told they’re keeping an eye on in free agency is Jonathan Kuminga.”

Kuminga’s aspiration to become an NBA All-Star

In a candid conversation with Anthony V. Slater of The Athletic, Kuminga expressed his ambition of becoming an NBA All-Star as one of the crowning achievements of his career. While Kuminga did not specify whether this goal would be pursued with a team other than the Golden State Warriors, his determination was clear.

“I feel like I’m at the point where that has to be my priority, to just be one of the guys a team relies on. Aiming to be an All-Star. Multiple times. Aiming to be great… Wherever I’m going to be at, it doesn’t matter if it’s with the Warriors or anywhere else, it’s something I want. I want to see what I could do. I know I got it. So I want to really see. I’ve never got that chance,” Kuminga remarked.

Heat’s pursuit of key Lakers players amid trade rumors

Beyond the buzz surrounding Kuminga, rumors are circulating about a potential blockbuster trade between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers seeking to strengthen their roster following recent setbacks, they are looking to build a formidable team around Luka Doncic and LeBron James, should James decide to extend his illustrious NBA career for another season.

According to Anthony Irwin of Clutch Points, the Heat have expressed interest in acquiring two key Lakers players: Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. The proposed trade might involve Andrew Wiggins, and Irwin reports that conversations are already underway regarding this potential deal.