Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga trade saga has taken an unexpected turn.
According to ESPN insiders Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, the Dallas Mavericks are among the teams that have shown interest in the 23-year-old forward — a development league sources described as “an intriguing part of their rebuild.”
The revelation adds a new layer to an already complex situation involving Kuminga, who officially requested a trade from Golden State on Thursday after weeks of speculation surrounding his role and future with the franchise.
Mavericks Emerge as Unexpected Suitor for Kuminga
Charania and Slater reported that Dallas’ interest is exploratory but notable, particularly given the Mavericks’ evolving roster construction following last season’s blockbuster moves.
Kuminga’s contract structure makes him an attractive trade asset. He has a $24.3 million team option for the 2026–27 season, allowing an acquiring team to treat his deal as an expiring contract if the option is declined, use it as salary ballast in a future trade, or take a low-risk flier on a high-upside 6-foot-7 wing.
The upside is undeniable. Kuminga averaged 24.3 points on 55.6% shooting over the final four games of Golden State’s second-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last May — a stretch that briefly showcased the offensive ceiling that made him a lottery pick.
However, Kuminga has not played since December 18 and has fallen completely out of the Warriors’ rotation, accelerating the likelihood of a deal ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
Trade Request Signals Endgame in Golden State
The ESPN report added that Kuminga formally requested a trade once his trade restriction was lifted, aligning with prior reporting that all major parties — including Kuminga, head coach Steve Kerr, and the veteran core — believe a trade is the best resolution.
While Dallas’ interest is real, it remains unclear whether the Mavericks view Kuminga as a standalone acquisition or as part of a larger framework involving star big man Anthony Davis.
That ambiguity has fueled speculation but also underscored the limited paths to a blockbuster.
Warriors Not Actively Pursuing Anthony Davis Trade
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
GettyAnthony Davis has drawn interest from the Golden State Warriors.
Despite persistent buzz, Golden State is not actively pursuing a trade for Davis, according to multiple NBA insiders.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported in late December that while the Warriors have “held a longstanding fondness” for the 10-time All-Star, the practical barriers to a deal are significant.
“The Warriors have held a longstanding fondness for Davis and I’m told that they have indeed had some internal discussions about pursuing him,” Stein wrote. “But they do not appear to be actively doing so six-ish weeks out from the deadline.”
Stein added that Golden State has no realistic pathway to acquire Davis unless it is willing to part with either Jimmy Butler or franchise cornerstone Draymond Green — a nonstarter for the organization.
Compounding the issue is Davis’ contract and availability. The 32-year-old could still have two years remaining if he exercises his $62.7 million player option for the 2027–28 season, and his injury history since arriving in Dallas has raised red flags.
Since joining the Mavericks as the headliner of the Luka Dončić blockbuster trade last February, Davis has appeared in just 29 games.
Dallas Lukewarm on Warriors’ Assets
NBA insider Chris Haynes was the first to report about the Warriors’ interest in Davis during an appearance on NBA on Amazon Prime, reinforcing that Dallas is not enthusiastic about Golden State’s available assets.
“I was told they’re contemplating making a case to acquire Anthony Davis,” Haynes said. “And with that being said, I was told that Dallas was not that fascinated with what Golden State has on its books.”
That reality makes any Kuminga-for-Davis framework unlikely, keeping Dallas’ interest centered more on Kuminga’s age, flexibility, and upside than on star-for-star maneuvering.
Warriors Prioritizing Flexibility in Kuminga Trade
Charania and Slater reported that Golden State is prioritizing expiring contracts in any Kuminga deal, signaling a desire for financial and strategic flexibility rather than long-term salary commitments.
“They’ve declined the idea of taking back long-term contracts unless they view it as a no-brainer positive value,” the ESPN insiders wrote.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Warriors appear focused on clearing optionality around Stephen Curry’s remaining prime years — even if that means moving on from a once-central piece of their “two timelines” vision.
With surprise suitors emerging and tensions no longer hidden, Kuminga’s time in Golden State appears closer to its conclusion than ever.