New Jonathan Kuminga Trade Suitor Reportedly Emerges

The Golden State Warriors reportedly have a new team interested in Jonathan Kuminga.

Per Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Dallas Mavericks reached out to the Warriors about trading Anthony Davis for a package that included Jonathan Kuminga.

To make the money work, the Warriors would have to include either Draymond Green or Jimmy Bulter, and Amick reported Golden State has no interest in dealing either.

So a Davis deal might be all but dead, but Dallas' interest in Kuminga opens up some intriguing possibilities for when the 23-year-old Congo native is trade-eligible on Jan. 15.

Could the Warriors Target Gafford for Kuminga?

The Warriors would love to get a wing upgrade for Kuminga, but there's a chance no decent wing becomes available before the trade deadline. If that's the case, they should pivot to a center upgrade.

Daniel Gafford is one of the best bigs on the trade market. He has no perimeter shot whatsoever, but otherwise there's not much to dislike. The 6'10" center is shooting over 70 percent for his career (!), and he's a productive rebounder and shot-blocker.

The big question is how he'd fit with Draymond Green, who doesn't space the floor much either due to his mediocre three-point shot. But even with those spacing concerns, the Warriors would likely be a better all-around team with Gafford playing about 20 minutes per game.

Kuminga makes $8.2 million more than Gafford, so this might require a third team to make the money work, but it shouldn't take much draft compensation to push it across the finish line.

Outside of Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks are lacking young wing talent. Kuminga could pop for them and become a long-term piece.

Could the Mavs Help Facilitate a Bigger Kuminga Trade?

The answer to this question is "yes," which opens up a possibilities for the Warriors.

For example, Heavy Sports' Sean Deveney reported that the Nets "have never been enamored with" Kuminga and that a Michael Porter Jr.-to-the-Warriors trade would likely need a third team.

Suddenly the Mavericks seem like a logical third team.

It all depends on what the Nets are interested in, of course. But it wouldn't be surprising if they like 22-year-old Max Christie.

A final deal could like this:

Warriors Get: Michael Porter Jr., Dwight Powell
Mavericks Get: Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Wilson
Nets Get: Daniel Gafford, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, Max Christie, 2026 first-round pick (via Warriors), 2028 first-round pick (via Warriors)

Porter is having the best season of his career, as he's averaging 25.8 points points on 49.6 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from three.

If the Pelicans never seriously consider trading Trey Murphy III, Porter might be the only big wing scorer who moves the needle this trade season.

The Kings and Bulls are reportedly interested in Kuminga, but outside of them, there hasn't been much smoke around a Kuminga trade.

If the Mavericks are truly interested in him, they may be the Warriors' best option to facilitate a bigger trade.