This is the kind of trade proposal that only surfaces when three teams are each trying to solve a different riddle - and they’re all willing to get creative to do it.
A recent three-team trade framework floated by NBA writer Greg Swartz lays out a scenario that would send Jonathan Kuminga out of Golden State, land De’Andre Hunter with the Warriors, and give the Cavaliers some much-needed help on the wing. It’s an intriguing idea, not just for the names involved, but because it doesn’t include a single draft pick. In today’s NBA, that’s rare - and it tells you just how focused these teams might be on immediate roster balance over long-term asset hoarding.
Here’s how the hypothetical deal would shake out:
Warriors receive:
- De’Andre Hunter
Suns receive:
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Trayce Jackson-Davis
Cavaliers receive:
- Royce O’Neale
- Ryan Dunn
- Nick Richards
Let’s break down what this would mean for each team - and why it actually makes more sense than it might seem at first glance.
Golden State: Turning the Page on Kuminga
For the Warriors, this deal would mark a clean break from the Jonathan Kuminga experiment. The former lottery pick has shown flashes of serious upside - athleticism, scoring touch, defensive potential - but he’s also struggled to carve out a consistent role in Steve Kerr’s rotation. There have been reports of frustration on both sides, with Kuminga reportedly questioning whether he’s being developed properly in Golden State.
Swapping him for De’Andre Hunter would be a move toward stability. Hunter isn’t flashy, but he’s solid - a two-way wing who can defend multiple positions, knock down open shots, and slide seamlessly into the Warriors’ motion-heavy system.
He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, which fits well alongside the likes of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. And perhaps most importantly, Golden State keeps its future first-round picks intact, preserving flexibility for a bigger move down the line.
In short, this trade would be about fit over flash. The Warriors would be betting that a known quantity like Hunter helps them more in the short term than continuing to wait on Kuminga’s ceiling.
Phoenix: Betting on Upside
The Suns, meanwhile, would be leaning into potential. Kuminga is just 23 years old, under contract for two more seasons (with a team option on the second year), and brings a level of athleticism that Phoenix simply doesn’t have on the wing.
With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal all in win-now mode, the Suns are thin on young, controllable talent. Kuminga could be a long-term piece who grows into a bigger role - or at the very least, gives them a versatile defender who can run the floor and attack in transition.
Adding Trayce Jackson-Davis is a nice bonus. The rookie big man has shown flashes as a rim-runner and shot-blocker, and he fits the mold of the kind of energy big Phoenix could use behind Jusuf Nurkić. He’s not going to change the franchise, but he gives them another young piece who can contribute in spurts.
This is the kind of swing you take when you’re trying to balance a top-heavy roster with some developmental upside - and when you’re not giving up any picks to do it, the risk is relatively low.
Cleveland: Filling a Familiar Need
The Cavaliers have been quietly searching for reliable wing help for what feels like years. Royce O’Neale could be the answer - at least in the short term.
He’s a proven 3-and-D veteran who can guard multiple spots and hit threes at a respectable clip. That’s exactly the kind of player Cleveland has needed to slot between their core of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
O’Neale isn’t a star, but he’s playoff-tested, and his skill set fits the modern game. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and he won’t take touches away from Cleveland’s top options.
Ryan Dunn and Nick Richards add some depth without costing the Cavs any future draft capital. Dunn is a defensive-minded wing with upside, while Richards brings size and rebounding to the frontcourt. Neither is a game-changer, but both could be useful in spot minutes - and again, the cost is minimal.
The Bigger Picture
Jonathan Kuminga is averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in limited minutes this season. The talent is undeniable.
The fit in Golden State? Not so much.
That’s what makes this kind of deal worth considering.
With the trade deadline looming on February 5, teams across the league are sketching out scenarios just like this - multi-team deals where everyone gives a little to get a little. This one, on paper, checks a lot of boxes: the Warriors get a plug-and-play wing, the Suns take a swing on upside, and the Cavs quietly plug a long-standing hole.
No draft picks. No blockbuster headlines. Just three teams trying to solve three very different puzzles - and maybe helping each other in the process.