NBA Rumors: The crazy trade that would end with Anthony Davis and Jonathan Kuminga on the Hawks

The drama surrounding Anthony Davis continues in Dallas, where the Mavericks are still considering what to do with their star center, once again hindered by injuries. In recent weeks, Eastern teams such as Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Detroit Pistons have been mentioned as potential destinations interested in acquiring the player.

Bobby Marks, an ESPN expert on salary matters, is known for his ability to construct viable trades from an economic standpoint, even in the most complex scenarios. This time, he has proposed a massive trade involving five teams that, if completed, would significantly alter the league landscape.

The trade would be structured as follows:

Atlanta Hawks would receive:

• Anthony Davis (from Mavericks)

• Jonathan Kuminga (from Warriors)

• Buddy Hield (from Warriors)

• Devin Carter (from Kings)

Dallas Mavericks would receive:

• Zach LaVine (from Kings)

• 2026 first-round draft pick (from Warriors)

• 2027 first-round draft pick (from Pelicans or Bucks, top 4 protected)

Sacramento Kings would receive:

• Trae Young (from Hawks)

• Luke Kennard (from Hawks)

Golden State Warriors would receive:

• Kristaps Porzingis (from Hawks)

Detroit Pistons would receive:

• Doug McDermott (from Kings)

Atlanta, defense without Trae and a new interior leader

The Hawks have been evaluating the possibility of parting ways with Trae Young after realizing they can be a defensively dominant team without him. In this trade, in addition to Young, they would also have to let go of Kristaps Porzingis.

In return, Atlanta would receive Anthony Davis to maintain that defensive profile, along with adding a promising youngster like Jonathan Kuminga and a sharpshooter in Buddy Hield, intended to fill the role of Luke Kennard, although Hield is having a very tough season from the perimeter.

Porzingis, Golden State's risky bet

For the Warriors, the main attraction would be Kristaps Porzingis, a center capable of protecting the rim and stretching the floor, precisely the profile they have been seeking for the five position. However, the Latvian also poses an obvious risk due to his injury history: he has only played more than 57 games in a season once in the last eight years. The big question is whether it's worth taking that risk in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and a first-round pick.

Dallas and the key question: LaVine, Irving, and the picks

From the Mavericks' perspective, the fundamental question posed by Marks himself is clear: how would Zach LaVine fit alongside Kyrie Irving upon his return? In this hypothetical scenario, the most appealing aspect for Dallas would not so much be the player but the two first-round picks they would receive in exchange for Anthony Davis.

Sacramento, the unexpected big winner

For the Kings, the outcome could be particularly positive, even if it wasn't Marks' main goal when designing the trade. Sacramento would finally regain a star point guard after trading away Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox in recent years. Acquiring Trae Young in exchange for Zach LaVine, a player the franchise was eager to part ways with, appears as a clear victory for the Californian organization.