ESPN suggests Warriors trade Draymond Green, Jonathan Cummings for Anthony Davis, Lakers flip

NBA trade speculation intensified this week after ESPN proposed a hypothetical four-team deal involving Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets — the script he would send Anthony Davis in Golden State during routing Draymond Green and Jonathan Cumminga to Dallas. The concept arrives as all four franchises move through varying levels of urgency at the start of the 2025–26 season.

In the proposal, ESPN’s NBA insiders built a multi-team framework designed to reshape the long-term direction of any roster.

Warriors get:
Anthony Davis
Mason Plumlee

The Mavericks get:
Draymond Green
Jonathan Cumminga
2026 first-round pick (via Warriors)

The Lakers get:
Buddy Hield

Hornets get:
Maki glue
Dalton Knecht
Money (via Lakers)

They explained the rationale behind the hypothetical structure.

ESPN’s hypothetical deal explores trade routes for the Warriors, Lakers, Mavs and Hornets

“Should the Warriors break up the Green-Stephen Curry pairing to take a shot at Davis? Probably not, but if they can’t figure out more consistency when healthy, it’s worth considering because of the huge offensive upgrade Davis would provide.”

Although Golden State continues to play at a high level with Green on the court, he is shooting 38% from the field, his lowest mark since his rookie season — worse than even 2019-20, when Curry played just five games in what became a gap year.

Davis would be a threat at the rim as a role player that the Warriors have long sought. They could also save money this season by making this a multi-team deal, sending Hield to a third team. In this case, he goes to the rival Lakers to provide the threat they need.

Meanwhile, Charlotte steps in to take on Kleber’s expiring $11 million contract to get Knecht after unsuccessfully trying to acquire him in the voided Mark Williams deal.

For Dallas, making this deal would essentially be a bet against Golden State finding the health and chemistry during the regular season that would make the 2026 first-rounder a valuable pick. The Mavericks would also create financial flexibility through Cumming’s team option for the 2026-27 season.

Davis is averaging 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three in 10 appearances. Green is averaging eight points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 blocks per game in six contests. In 17 games, Kuminga averaged 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Hield contributed eight points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25 games.

All four teams will continue their regular season schedules as speculation swirls. The The Lakers (17-7) are preparing for Sunday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns (14–11) at 8:00 PM ET following their NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The The Warriors (13–12) will face the Minnesota Timberwolves (15–9) on Friday at 10:00 PM ET on NBA TV in their first meeting since last season’s second-round series. Dallas (9-16) hosts the Brooklyn Nets (6-17) on Friday at 8:30 PM ET, while the Hornets take on the Chicago Bulls (9-14) at 7 PM ET.

ESPN’s proposal remains entirely theoretical, but it adds another layer to the league’s early season trade discourse as front offices evaluate potential moves ahead of the deadline.