With Trae Young getting traded to the Washington Wizards, the door for Anthony Davis’ potential move to the Hawks is wide open. Reports indicated that Atlanta’s priority was to get Young’s $46.4 million salary off the books to make a major move for another max contract player.
Davis has been linked with them for several weeks, and according to Shams Charania, he was on their radar after Young’s trade.
“This Trae Young deal sets the Atlanta Hawks with additional financial flexibility to be active on the trade front to land another big-name player, another major salary,” Charania said on Wednesday. “And that being Anthony Davis, in-season. They’re going to pursue Anthony Davis as a prime trade target with the Mavericks.”
The Hawks have the expiring contracts of Kristapos Porzingis and Luke Kennard to entice the Mavericks. However, Dallas reportedly also wants a young talent in an Anthony Davis trade. They have set their sights on names like Zaccharie Risaacher and Jonathan Kuminga.
The Hawks haven’t shown the willingness to move Risaacher, whom they drafted No. 1 in the 2024 draft. That said, it could put their pursuit of Davis in jeopardy. Nevertheless, there’s a way the Hawks can retain Risaacher and the Mavericks can land a young talent, if this deal becomes a three-team trade.
Here’s a look at one mock-proposal that can satisfy all parties involved.
Anthony Davis to Hawks, Jonathan Kuminga to Mavericks in 3-Team NBA Mock Trade
The Hawks and Mavericks can engage the Warriors in a three-team deal. Golden State is eyeing upgrades with Jonathan Kuminga’s contract. Kuminga is likely getting traded before the trade deadline.
However, Kuminga’s value has hit rock bottom. The Warriors may secure less than what they would have if they dealt him last offseason. While they might not land a bona fide star with Kuminga as a trade centerpiece, Golden State can consider a realistic target like Corey Kispert to complete the deal.
Kispert, a 39.5% 3-point shooter this year, would be an excellent fit in the Warriors’ system. He’s the ideal off-ball wing the Warriors need to improve their offense. Kispert was involved in the trade that sent Trae Young to the Wizards. The Hawks can flip him in the Anthony Davis trade to avoid moving Zaccharie Risaacher.
Here’s how:
Hawks receive: Anthony Davis
Mavericks receive: Kristaps Porzingis, Jonathan Kuminga, 2030 first-round pick (via Hawks)
Warriors receive: Corey Kispert, 2032 second-round pick (via Mavericks)
The Warriors get $8.5 million in relief in salary cap space this year through this trade, along with a future second-round pick. At 6-foot-6, Kispert also provides decent size on the wing for Golden State. He’s one of the players who can play the right way, which meshes with the Warriors’ ideology.
As for the Mavericks, they add a 23-year-old forward in Jonathan Kuminga, who can be a long-term piece next to franchise star Cooper Flagg. The Hawks probably would prefer to keep Kispert, but amid their heavy reported interest in Davis and desire to retain Risaacher, parting ways with the 3-point shooter might be the only way to complete the
Read more: Anthony Davis Trade Rumors: Mavericks Star’s Move to Raptors Jeopardized for One Major Reason
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