Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors need a center before the February 5 trade deadline.
That much is clear. The question is who they can realistically acquire without gutting their future. A recent report from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line suggests an intriguing option may be available.
Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks has drawn trade interest from multiple teams, according to Fischer. The Indiana Pacers have called Atlanta about Okongwu, along with pursuing Daniel Gafford from the Dallas Mavericks and Ivica Zubac from the LA Clippers.
“I was told this week, for example, that Indiana has called Atlanta on Onyeka Okongwu in addition to its previously reported interest in players such as Dallas’ Daniel Gafford and the (perceived as much harder-to-get) Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers,” Fischer wrote.
Peter O’Keefe of Blue Man Hoop proposed that the Warriors should pursue Okongwu in a three-team trade. The framework would involve Atlanta landing Anthony Davis, the Mavericks acquiring Jonathan Kuminga, and Golden State getting Okongwu.
It is not the flashiest move. But it could be exactly what the Warriors need.
Why Onyeka Okongwu Fits the Warriors
Okongwu is having a career year.
The 25-year-old is averaging 16.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 31 starts for the Hawks this season. He is shooting 36.4% from three-point range on over five attempts per game. That shooting development is critical for a Warriors team that desperately needs floor spacing in the frontcourt.
Golden State already has Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, both non-shooters. Adding another non-shooter at center would clog the lane and limit Stephen Curry‘s ability to operate. That is why head coach Steve Kerr has stuck with second-year big Quinten Post in the starting lineup. Post can shoot, even if his limited minutes suggest Kerr does not fully trust him yet.
Okongwu would provide an instant upgrade. He is more athletic than Post. He can defend the rim. And his three-point shooting has improved enough that he could theoretically play alongside Butler and Green without killing the spacing entirely.
Okongwu is also on a team-friendly contract. He is making $15 million this season on the second year of a four-year, $62 million deal. That number fits comfortably within the salary framework of a Kuminga trade. The Warriors would not need to attach significant draft capital to make the money work, which preserves future flexibility.
Why the Hawks Would Consider Trading Okongwu
Onyeka Okongwu
GettyOnyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks rebounds the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics.
Atlanta is reportedly pursuing Anthony Davis.
The Hawks have been aggressive in trying to land a star, and Davis fits the profile. If Atlanta believes it can acquire Davis, Okongwu becomes expendable. The Hawks would not need two starting-caliber centers, and moving Okongwu in a deal that lands Davis makes sense from a roster construction standpoint.
Atlanta has also shown a willingness to make bold moves. The Hawks recently traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. If the front office believes Davis can anchor the roster for the next few seasons, moving Okongwu is a small price to pay.
The question is whether the Hawks can actually land Davis. Atlanta has the assets to make a competitive offer, and Davis’ time in Dallas looks like it will end sooner rather than later.
If the Hawks do land Davis, Okongwu could become available. The Warriors should be first in line.
How a Three-Team Trade Could Work
A three-team trade involving the Warriors, Hawks, and Mavericks could work if the pieces align correctly. The framework would send Okongwu to Golden State, Anthony Davis and additional salary to Atlanta, and Jonathan Kuminga plus matching salary to Dallas.
The Mavericks have shown interest in Kuminga, according to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. Dallas is looking to get younger and add future assets. Kuminga fits that timeline, and his two-year, $46.8 million contract with a team option on the second year makes him a low-risk gamble for Dallas. The additional salary coming from Atlanta would help the Mavericks balance the trade financially while potentially adding depth pieces or contracts they could flip later.
The Warriors would get Okongwu, addressing their need for a floor-spacing center without giving up significant draft capital. The Hawks would land Davis, the star they have been pursuing, while moving Okongwu and additional salary to make the money work. The Mavericks would get Kuminga, a young forward with upside who could develop into a key piece or be let go after one season if he does not fit.
Does This Trade Make Sense for the Warriors?
Okongwu is not a star. He will not transform the Warriors into championship contenders overnight.
But he addresses a clear need. Golden State lacks a reliable, floor-spacing center who can play meaningful minutes alongside Butler and Green. Okongwu provides that. His three-point shooting has improved to the point where he can space the floor without being a liability. His athleticism and rim protection would bolster the defense. And his contract is team-friendly, which gives the Warriors flexibility moving forward.
The cost would be Kuminga, who has been a healthy scratch for nearly a month and has demanded a trade. His value has dropped significantly, and the Warriors are unlikely to get a star in return. Trading him for Okongwu is not sexy, but it is practical.
The Warriors are in a difficult position. They want to compete for a playoff spot this season while also preserving future flexibility. Landing Okongwu accomplishes both goals. He helps the team now without locking them into long-term salary commitments that could hamstring the roster down the line.
Final Word for the Warriors
Jake Fischer’s report suggests Okongwu is drawing trade interest, and the Hawks’ pursuit of Anthony Davis could make him available.
Okongwu is not the flashiest name. But he fits the Warriors’ needs. He can shoot well enough to space the floor. He is athletic enough to defend the rim. And his contract is team-friendly, which preserves future flexibility.
A three-team trade involving the Warriors, Hawks, and Mavericks makes sense for all sides. Golden State gets a center who addresses their spacing issues. Atlanta lands the star they have been chasing. Dallas gets a young forward with upside.
It may never leave the idea stage, but the framework highlights the priorities shaping each franchise as the trade deadline approaches.