The Golden State Warriors are actively looking to move on from the Jonathan Kuminga situation, and multiple rumors are intensifying around the potential destination of the young forward. As the trade deadline approaches, two direct rivals from the NBA Western Conference are emerging as serious candidates to acquire Kuminga, signaling that a deal could materialize sooner rather than later.
According to Shams Charania, the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks have both shown interest in Kuminga, with several other teams also monitoring the situation. The Warriors are prioritizing expiring contracts in return and are reluctant to take on long-term salary unless the deal represents clear positive value for the franchise.
One factor that could strengthen Sacramento’s position is Golden State’s stance on the return package. The Warriors have no interest in acquiring Malik Monk in a Kuminga trade, but the inclusion of Keon Ellis could significantly change their evaluation and reopen discussions between both teams.
From Sacramento’s perspective, acquiring Kuminga would represent a major upgrade in athleticism and physical presence. He would fit well alongside Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroder, and Russell Westbrook, reinforcing a roster that appears increasingly built to compete at a high level in the Western Conference.
The situation with the Mavericks
While the Kings appear well-positioned, Kuminga’s interests extend beyond the Western Conference, as he has already drawn attention from at least one Eastern Conference team. That factor adds complexity to Golden State’s negotiations and could influence how aggressively teams pursue a deal.
According to Shams Charania, there is mutual interest between the Dallas Mavericks and Kuminga. However, a potential move to Dallas is more complicated due to the Mavericks’ limited trade assets and their overall negotiating flexibility compared to other suitors.
If discussions between the Warriors and the Mavericks advance, Anthony Davis would likely be the Mavericks’ primary high-value trade chip. Still, Golden State would face competition for Davis in the East, as the Toronto Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks have also entered the conversation surrounding the All-Star forward.
That said, the Warriors are focused on immediate impact while maximizing the remaining NBA championship window built around Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green. This makes a Davis-centered deal uncertain, especially after Davis sustained ligament damage in his left hand during a recent loss to the Jazz. He is expected to undergo surgery and will be sidelined for several months, raising serious concerns about reliability and short-term availability.