Nov 12, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) and forward Andrew Wiggins (22) battle for position with Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Warriors, Mavericks could become trade partners before deadline

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 2:56 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks are a few weeks removed from playing the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, but the two franchises could find themselves aligned once again as they move towards the trade deadline on Feb. 5.

Bleacher Report writer Scott Polacek listed the Mavs as a potential landing spot for Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

"As for the Mavericks, everything is about building around rookie Cooper Flagg," Polacek wrote.

"Kuminga is a young playmaker who would be on the Duke product's timeline and someone who can slash into the lane and take advantage of the spacing created when Flagg draws additional defenders. While Dallas is in something of an awkward situation with veterans such as Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving (once he returns) on the roster with Flagg, the rookie is the future.

"And Kuminga could be a solid supporting cast player alongside Flagg for years to come if he finally lived up to his potential in Dallas."

Kuminga to the Mavs?

Kuminga is viewed as a negative asset for the Warriors, but he still has a lot of potential that could be tapped into.

Kuminga was the No. 7 overall pick for the Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft out of G League Ignite, which received criticism as the developmental league's pathway to the pros for players fresh out of high school. Kuminga found himself as a potential contributor for the Warriors earlier in his career, but that has faded over the years.

This season, Kuminga has fallen out of Steve Kerr's rotation, playing in just 18 games, where he is averaging 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Warriors.

Kuminga is making $22.5 million this season and has a team option for next year, so if the Mavericks were to make a trade, they could see what they have in the 23-year-old this season before deciding if he is worth the top price tag of $24.3 million for next year.