With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 5, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. Rumors are swirling that the team is eyeing Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga as a potential trade target-a move that, on paper, checks some intriguing boxes.
Kuminga is young, athletic, and brimming with upside. But when you zoom in on the fit alongside Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ cornerstone of the future, the picture gets a whole lot murkier.
Let’s be clear: Kuminga is a talented player. He’s shown flashes of brilliance since entering the league as one of the G League Ignite’s most hyped prospects.
His physical tools and ability to impact the game on both ends make him a tempting addition for any team looking to bolster its wing depth. And for a Dallas squad that could use a jolt of athleticism on the perimeter, it’s easy to see the appeal.
But here’s the problem-fit matters. And the fit between Kuminga and Flagg? It’s shaky at best.
We’ve already seen what happens when Flagg shares the floor with another non-shooter in P.J. Washington.
The spacing gets cramped, the offense bogs down, and Flagg’s ability to operate as a dynamic playmaker and scorer takes a hit. Kuminga, for all his strengths, brings similar spacing concerns.
He’s shooting just 32 percent from deep this season, and outside of a brief spike to 37 percent in 2022-23, his perimeter shot hasn’t been a consistent weapon.
That’s a red flag when you’re talking about pairing him with a player like Flagg, who thrives when surrounded by shooters and guards who can stretch the floor. The Mavericks have found success when Flagg is flanked by players who give him room to work-guys who can knock down open threes and keep defenses honest. Kuminga’s inconsistent shooting doesn’t fit that formula.
Beyond the numbers, there’s also the question of role and chemistry. Kuminga’s time in Golden State has been a rollercoaster.
After a promising start, the past two seasons have been defined more by frustration than development. Despite signing a two-year, $48.5 million extension, he’s reportedly requested a trade, signaling a desire for a fresh start.
That doesn’t mean he can’t blossom elsewhere, but it does raise questions about how he’d adjust to a new system-especially one built around a rising star like Flagg.
Dallas is trying to build something sustainable around Flagg, and every move they make from here on out needs to support that vision. Trading for Kuminga might generate buzz, but it could also create the kind of roster imbalance that stunts Flagg’s growth. And if that happens, the Mavericks risk setting back their most important rebuild in years.
There’s also the elephant in the room: what it might cost to get Kuminga. If the Mavericks are even considering moving a player of Anthony Davis’ caliber-albeit at a low point in his value-for a wing who hasn’t yet proven he can be a consistent contributor, that’s a gamble with serious downside.
Kuminga’s potential is real. His athleticism, defensive upside, and youth make him a fascinating player in the right context.
But for Dallas, and more importantly for Flagg, the fit just doesn’t work. This isn’t about talent-it’s about building a roster that complements your future star.
And right now, the Mavericks need to be thinking long-term, not just chasing names.
If Dallas wants to maximize the Flagg era, they’ll need to prioritize spacing, synergy, and smart roster construction. Kuminga may shine somewhere else-but that somewhere probably shouldn’t be alongside Cooper Flagg in a Mavericks uniform.