Warriors land Anthony Davis, Kings acquire Trae Young in ESPN NBA mock trades

Warriors land Anthony Davis, Kings acquire Trae Young in ESPN NBA mock trades originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ inconsistent start to the 2025-26 NBA season has meant one thing: Dub Nation is firing up the trade machine to find a (likely unrealistic) fix to all their problems.

Coincidentally, one star player has been the subject of numerous trade rumors around the league due to his team’s even slower start to the year. Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis has been linked to several possible suitors, one of which could be Golden State, who reportedly are expected to explore a move for Jonathan Kuminga.

On Thursday, ESPN’s NBA insiders laid out five mock trades involving Davis, including one that would send the 10-time All-Star big man to the Warriors.

Here’s what that trade would look like:

• Warriors get: Anthony Davis and Mason Plumlee

• Mavericks get: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors’ 2026 first-round draft pick

• Los Angeles Lakers get: Buddy Hield

• Charlotte Hornets get: Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht and cash considerations

From Golden State’s standpoint, this four-team deal essentially nets the team Davis and Plumlee — a 13-year NBA veteran center — in exchange for Green, Kuminga, Hield and a first-round pick. That could seem like a steep price, given that the trade involves parting with a key cog of the Warriors’ dynasty in Green, while only increasing their average age (Davis and Plumlee turn 33 and 36, respectively, next March).

And though Davis is a superstar when healthy, he also has an extensive injury history that has only worsened since his infamous move to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić a year ago. As a result, there would be plenty of hesitancy from the Warriors’ side, especially if Davis is seeking a contract extension once eligible next offseason.

“Should the Warriors break up the Green-Stephen Curry pairing for a shot at Davis?” ESPN’s Kevin Pelton wrote. “Probably not, but if they can’t figure out more consistency when healthy, it’s worth considering because of the massive offensive upgrade Davis would provide. … Davis would be the rim threat as a roll man the Warriors have long sought.”

Now, it remains to be seen if Golden State even is interested in a blockbuster deal for someone like Davis, but this trade certainly would make seismic headlines if it comes to fruition.

Pelton also suggested another massive deal involving both Davis and the Warriors, but it would instead bring a different big man to the Bay and a star guard to Sacramento. That mock trade looks as follows:

• Atlanta Hawks get: Anthony Davis, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield and Devin Carter

• Mavericks get: Zach LaVine, the Warriors’ 2026 first-round pick (top-14 protected) and another first-round pick via the Hawks

• Kings get: Trae Young and Luke Kennard

• Warriors get: Kristaps Porzingis

• Detroit Pistons get: Doug McDermott and cash considerations

In this scenario, Golden State would net Porziņģis, another talented center and former All-Star who also would provide some desired frontcourt flexibility. The price is significantly smaller, too, as the Warriors only would part ways with Kuminga, Hield and a lottery-protected first-rounder.

It should be noted that Kuminga cannot be traded until Jan. 15 after being re-signed this past offseason, which would allow for a rather short trade window before the Feb. 5 deadline. But it wouldn’t be a shocking move considering how Kuminga’s role in the Warriors’ rotation seems to be eternally in flux.

Meanwhile, this trade would be massive for Sacramento as well. The Kings would move on from LaVine, Carter and McDermott in exchange for Young — a four-time All-Star with a knack for clutch moments — and a sharpshooting veteran in Kennard.

“Sacramento turns LaVine into a younger solution at point guard without having to give up any draft picks,” Pelton explained. “And Golden State finally moves on from Kuminga to get the kind of stretch 5 option the team has long sought, repairing Porzingis with former Celtics teammate Al Horford at the cost of a pick that extinguishes if the Warriors miss the playoffs.”

Of course, the likelihood of either trade actually happening probably isn’t all that high. But that’s never stopped NBA fans from dreaming of what wild move could come next in sports’ greatest reality show.

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