Desperate Warriors Eye Wiggins Return After Butler ACL

Merlin sees Golden State quietly exploring a reunion with Andrew Wiggins after Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL. Sources told Marc Stein "one avenue which will certainly be explored is the prospect of a Kuminga-for-Wiggins swap." With Curry urging the team to "keep a semblance of our identity," the Dubs want a familiar spark and the salary flexibility such a swap could buy as they eye a post-2026 roster reset. Merlin remembers Wiggins’ lockdown work in the 2022 title run. He would not replace Butler’s scoring, but he would restore defense, rebounding and the locker-room feel the Warriors miss. Miami could accept Kuminga’s upside and Buddy Hield’s light guarantees to preserve cap plans. The move would be equal parts sentimental and strategic, a steadying stopgap with future trade value.