The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads - again. And once more, Jonathan Kuminga is at the center of it.
Now that Kuminga is officially trade-eligible, the buzz around his future is heating up. The Warriors have been reluctant to move him in the past, but with the team struggling to find consistency and maximize what’s left of Stephen Curry’s prime, the pressure to make a bold move is mounting. Enter the Dallas Mavericks - one of two teams reportedly showing interest in Kuminga, alongside the Sacramento Kings.
But here’s where things get interesting: If the Warriors are going to send Kuminga to Dallas, there’s one name that should be at the top of their wish list - Anthony Davis.
Yes, it’s a long shot. And yes, it’s complicated. But it might also be the kind of gamble that could swing the Warriors back into serious title contention.
Why Davis? Why Now?
Let’s be clear: trading for Anthony Davis would be a high-risk, high-reward move. He’s currently sidelined, and his injury history is extensive.
That’s not ideal for a Warriors team that’s already walking a tightrope when it comes to depth and durability. On top of that, Davis’ hefty contract would make it tough to build a fully balanced roster around Curry in the short term.
But that’s exactly why the Warriors should consider it.
Golden State is running out of time. Curry is still playing at an elite level, but the window to build a contender around him is closing fast - maybe one or two years left, tops.
If the Warriors are serious about giving him one more legitimate shot at a title, they need to swing big. Davis, even with all the risks, represents that swing.
The Boom-or-Bust Factor
This wouldn’t be a safe move. If Davis can’t stay healthy, the Warriors could end up watching another season slip away, having given up a promising young asset like Kuminga for a player who’s stuck on the bench. It would sting - no question.
But if Davis can stay on the floor, even just for a playoff run? That could change everything.
A healthy Davis is still one of the most dominant two-way players in the league. His defense alone could be the key to slowing down someone like Nikola Jokic in the postseason. And on offense, he’d take a massive load off Curry’s shoulders, offering a dynamic inside-out threat that would make the Warriors far more unpredictable and dangerous.
Now imagine a core of Curry, Davis, and Jimmy Butler - a trio built for playoff basketball. That’s not just a team that can hang in the West; that’s a team that can win the West.
The Kuminga Dilemma
Of course, moving on from Kuminga isn’t easy. He’s shown flashes of becoming a high-impact player - athletic, versatile, and still just scratching the surface of his potential.
But the Warriors have been stuck in this in-between phase for a while now, trying to balance development and contention. At some point, that balancing act becomes a liability.
If Golden State truly believes this is their last real window with Curry, then the time for patience might be over. Trading Kuminga for a star like Davis would be a bet on the present - a risky one, sure, but one that could pay off in a big way if the stars align.
The Bottom Line
There’s no perfect move here. Davis comes with baggage.
Kuminga comes with upside. But the Warriors don’t need perfect - they need bold.
They need a move that gives them a real shot at making noise in the playoffs, not just treading water.
And if Davis can give them even a glimpse of his peak form, that shot might be worth taking.