Mavericks are ignoring a costly Cooper Flagg lesson as new trade rumors surface

With just weeks remaining before the NBA's February 5 trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks could already be making their first big mistake of the Cooper Flagg era. While it is still only rumors that the Mavericks are interested in Jonathan Kuminga, it's a trade they can't afford to make for the disgruntled wing from Golden State.

Kuminga offers a lot of flexibility and would check multiple boxes for the Mavericks, including a young, emerging star that fits Flagg's timeline. However, due to his on-court playstyle, it's already easy to see that he and Flagg would not mesh well. Kuminga would be a refreshing wing upgrade for the Mavericks, but due to his already concerning shooting from deep, it wouldn't make sense for the Mavericks to pair him and Flagg together.

Fans are already seeing a strong disconnect between P.J. Washington and Flagg when they play on the floor together due to the non-spacing between the two of them, and it would be safe to expect the same from Kuminga and Flagg. There's no doubt that Kuminga is an intriguing trade target for many reasons, with his youth and potential being at the top of that list, but the Mavs can't afford to already set the Flagg era back as much as it already will be.

Why a Kuminga-Flagg duo would backfire for the Mavericks

Entering the NBA as one of the G League Ignite's top prospects ever, Kuminga instantly made an impact for a Golden State Warriors team looking to make one last championship push in their dynasty era. While Kuminga's first two seasons in Golden State were ones of blossom and potential, his past two have been filled with drama and confusion, despite his strong nightly showings.

After signing a two-year $48.5 million extension, Kuminga finally requested a trade earlier this season, and it appears that there are several teams interested in the young wing, including the Mavericks. For many reasons, Kuminga would check a lot of needs for a Dallas team looking for a co-star to pair with Flagg, but just as his time in Golden State ended in disaster, fans would quickly realize he isn't the player they thought he was.

While only playing a minimal role this season, Kuminga has already shown flashes of why the Mavericks shouldn't trade for him. His 32 percent shooting from behind the arc should be reason number one, and outside of a 37 percent 3-point shooting display during the 2022-23 NBA season, Kuminga's 3-point shot is a waning factor in his game.

For Flagg, it's already been a clear formula for success to pair him with a guard that can create space and shooters on either side of the floor. With a combination of that, Flagg has experienced some of his best nights as a pro, and while Kuminga may have a hot night from deep on occasion, he isn't the type of 3-point shooter teams would respect.

Trading for Kuminga would instantly bring a lot of attention and buzz for a Mavericks team looking to make positive headlines, but trading a player like Anthony Davis at his absolute lowest value for a wing that may never pan out in a Mavericks uniform doesn't make any sense.