The Dallas Mavericks are heading into the trade deadline with a few intriguing options on the table, and while much of the chatter has centered around Anthony Davis, that path may be tougher to navigate than it seems. Davis’ injury history complicates any potential deal, and if Dallas is looking to build for both now and the future, there might be a more strategic move available-one that involves Golden State and a player who’s quietly become one of the most intriguing young trade pieces in the league: Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga, the 23-year-old forward with elite athleticism and untapped upside, has seen his relationship with the Warriors grow increasingly strained. His fit in Steve Kerr’s motion-heavy system has been rocky, and reports have surfaced that both the Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings are monitoring his situation closely. In Dallas, Kuminga could find a more open offensive structure-one that doesn’t rely so heavily on constant movement and screening, and instead allows for more freedom to create and attack.
A hypothetical trade that’s been floated would send Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson to Golden State, while Dallas would receive Kuminga and Buddy Hield. On paper, it’s a deal that checks boxes for both teams.
Let’s start with the Warriors. They’re in desperate need of help in the frontcourt.
Right now, their only real rim protection is coming from rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis. Draymond Green, once a dominant small-ball center, isn’t quite the same defensively, and Quinten Post, while showing flashes as a stretch big, is still raw and limited.
Enter Gafford-a high-energy shot-blocker who, despite battling injuries this season, would instantly become Golden State’s most reliable presence in the paint.
And then there’s the emotional angle: Klay Thompson returning to the Bay. For the Warriors, reuniting their championship core of Curry, Green, and Thompson would be a sentimental yet strategic move.
Thompson may not be the All-Star he once was, but he still offers value as a floor-spacer and veteran presence. If he’s open to returning, this could be a win-win for a franchise trying to balance legacy with competitiveness.
From the Mavericks' perspective, the real prize here is Kuminga. He’s raw, yes-but the tools are there.
When engaged, he’s a switchable defender who can guard multiple positions. Offensively, he’s shown flashes of being a three-level scorer, and he’s pulling down a career-high 6.2 rebounds per game in under 25 minutes a night.
That kind of production, in limited minutes, speaks to just how much room there still is for growth.
The fit in Dallas could be exactly what he needs. The Mavericks don’t run the same rigid offensive sets that Golden State does, and with Luka Dončić commanding so much attention, there’s room for a player like Kuminga to thrive in secondary actions, cuts, and transition.
Pairing him with a young star like Cooper Flagg down the line? That’s a vision worth exploring.
As for Buddy Hield, he’s not the defensive presence Thompson is, but he brings value as a bench scorer and elite shooter-at a much lower price tag. He’s making about $7 million less than Thompson this season, and in a more limited role behind someone like Max Christie, he could provide instant offense without needing heavy minutes.
Sure, Dallas wouldn’t be getting any draft capital in this scenario, which might sting a bit considering they’re giving up both Gafford and Thompson. But the potential upside with Kuminga could make it worth it.
This is a player who, in the right system, still has All-Star potential. And if Dallas is serious about building a sustainable future around Dončić, taking a swing on a high-upside wing like Kuminga might be the kind of calculated risk that pays off big.
The trade deadline is always full of smoke and mirrors, but if this deal is on the table, it’s one that could reshape the trajectory for both franchises-Golden State gets size and sentiment, and Dallas gets a shot at unlocking a future star.