It’s no secret Jonathan Kuminga’s tenure with the Golden State Warriors ended up being a disaster. Both him and the team have been clamoring for a divorce all season long, making the forward the Warriors’ most likely player to be moved ahead of the February 5 deadline.
After a drawn-out saga filled with jabs through the media, allegedly faking injuries and public trade demands, it feels like Golden State has to get this deal right. Despite things not working out in the Bay, other teams around the league see some value in Kuminga, and the Warriors will want to make sure they don’t get squeezed when moving him.
In a new trade proposal, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn has Kuminga going to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for two key pieces that could help the Warriors truly contend in the Western Conference.
Here’s the full trade proposal:
- Warriors receive: C Daniel Gafford, G Klay Thompson
- Mavericks receive: F Jonathan Kuminga, G Buddy Hield
Who says yes to this deal? Who says no? Let’s see it through and find out:
Why Golden State Warriors Make This Trade
The Warriors need more outside shooting and more production out of the center position. Why not address both of those needs in one trade?
Gafford would become the starter at center right away and offer more upside than Quinten Post or Al Horford, both offensively and defensively. Having been to the NBA Finals with the Mavericks in 2025, he’s the kind of championship-caliber player that would fit well in Golden State and likely mesh well with head coach Steve Kerr.
Thompson, of course, knows all about winning championships with the Warriors. It just feels like the right thing to do, pairing him with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green for one last title push. Not to mention, his pedigree as one of the most efficient 3-point shooters of all time would help Golden State stretch the floor better in the second half of the season.
Why Dallas Mavericks Make This Trade
For Dallas, this trade would likely be about getting money off the books, in order to be aggressive in free agency this summer.
Kuminga is signed through the end of this season and has a club option for next season. The Mavericks will give him a chance to play in the second half, but if he doesn’t gel with Cooper Flagg, they won’t exercise the option and will look for a different wing player ahead of 2026-27.
Hield will be included in this trade to match salaries and is signed for one more season, with a player option for 2027-28. He could definitely be a depth piece (albeit an expensive one) for a team that could end up contending as early as next season (when it gets full, hopefully healthy seasons from Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II).
Jonathan Kuminga Trade Proposal Gives Warriors What They Need