Grade the Trade: Mavericks acquire once-hyped forward in mock deal with Warriors

The Dallas Mavericks are off to a hot start to begin the 2023-24 season. Dallas sits at fifth in the Western Conference with a 9-5 record.

Despite outperforming expectations to begin the season, the Mavs could easily be better. Dallas averages a blistering 122.8 points per game, good for second in the league. They rank top-7 in field goal and 3-point percentage.

Additionally, Dallas plays at the fourth fastest pace in the league and ranks in the top half in turnover percentage. There isn't much the Mavs can improve upon on the offensive end.

Grade the Trade: Mavericks acquire once-hyped forward in mock deal with Warriors

However, the defensive end of the floor tells a vastly different story. Dallas is one of six teams in the NBA to allow more than 120 points per game. And the other five aren't exactly the best company. The other five squads' combined record is 20-44.

As for the Mavs, they rank bottom 10 in defensive rating, points allowed, steals, blocks, and rebounds. Dallas has one end of the floor figured out, but they look clueless on the other.

In all five of the Mavs' losses, they've given up 125 points or more. And in all their victories, they've allowed 126 points or less. It's clear the Mavs need to improve on defense, whether it be organically or originally, it doesn't matter. Defensive improvement is a necessity.

Here comes Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. While trading a 21-year-old athletic marvel who's averaging 12.3 points per game isn't seen as a typical strategy, some have speculated it might be time for the Warriors to deal Kuminga.

The Mavericks look like an ideal fit for the young Warriors forward. Over the past year, Dallas has acquired young and athletic forwards to play alongside their star guards, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Due to a lack of defense from the duo, an infusion of athleticism into the lineup has been a high priority.

Although Kuminga isn't the most sound defender, he offers an intriguing mix of size and athleticism. And perhaps most importantly, the former 7th overall pick is still just 21 years old.

In this grade the trade, we'll dive into the parameters of a hypothetical deal between Dallas and Golden State and grade each team's returns.

Dallas Mavericks add athleticism and youth to the front court

In this deal, the Dallas Mavericks would receive forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Gary Payton II from the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, the Mavs would send guard Jaden Hardy, center Richaun Holmes, and two second-round picks to the Bay.

Dallas adds the necessary reinforcements to give their subpar defense a big boost. Kuminga is the centerpiece in Dallas for this deal, but receiving Payton II is equally important, at least for this season.

Kuminga is a young forward, who was drafted in the top 10 in the NBA Draft just a few years ago. Throughout his brief career, Kuminga's playing time has been sporadic. Even though he's dealt with inconsistent minutes and a veteran-laden team, Kuminga has made his presence felt.

The young forward is a dynamic athlete who can knock down the occasional three-ball and play tough defense. And perhaps the most promising attribute of Kuminga's game is his untapped potential.

The other incoming player, Payton II is a defensive dynamo who's played his best ball on the Warriors. While his offense may only consist of cuts, spot-up threes, and opportunistic baskets, his defense is elite.

Trading Kuminga won't be an easy pill to swallow for Golden State. They spent the 7th overall pick on the former G-League Ignite forward in 2021. Nevertheless, the Warriors recently traded away another top selection, just a year prior.

The Warriors selected James Wiseman second overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. But, he never panned out in the Bay. Wiseman proved to be ineffective on the court. Additionally, he consistently dealt with injuries.

The contending Warriors quickly decided they had seen enough of Wiseman and sent him to the Detroit Pistons in February of 2023; only receiving Payton II and two second-round picks from the Atlanta Hawks.

Despite trading multiple young assets, the Warriors would be requiring Hardy in this trade. The young Maverick is a microwave scorer who'd certainly give the stale Warriors offense a jump.

Furthermore, adding a player like Holmes should be a priority for Golden State. The Warriors only roster three players who stand 6-foot-9 or taller.

Next, a more in-depth analysis of each team's grade will be given on the following slides.

Grading the trade for the Golden State Warriors

Suddenly, it appears the Golden State Warriors require an influx of talent. Despite starting the season with a 6-2 record, the Warriors are now sitting at 6-8.

The once-progressive offense has run stale. The Warriors are still launching a bevy of 3-pointers, however, they rank in the bottom 10 in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 35.1 percent. For reference, the Warriors have only shot below 36 percent once in the past 15 seasons.

Golden State isn't shooting the ball well from particularly anywhere. The Warriors are bottom 5 in field goal percentage, shooting 44.3 percent from the floor. Steph Curry is still playing fantastic basketball, but the rest of the roster has underachieved.

Including Curry, only three players on the roster shoot the three-ball better than 44 percent. And only two players shoot above 50 percent from the floor. Golden State no longer employs efficient shooters across the roster.

The Warriors also lack shot creators. Only two players have less than 50 percent of their two-point makes assisted. And the Warriors don't roster a single player who has less than 50 percent of their 3-pointers assisted.

Trading for Jaden Hardy by no means solves the Warriors' offensive issues. But, he helps in a pinch. A year ago, Hardy shot 43.8 percent from the floor and 40.4 percent from beyond the arc. This season, in fewer minutes, his efficiency is down, but he's still does provide a knack for scoring and advanced shot creation.

It's only a matter of time before the young guard gets going offensively. And when he does, watch out. Coming off the bench in Golde State, Hardy would get the opportunity to play next to Chris Paul, a plus-defender who would give Hardy plenty of open looks from distance.

Other than Hardy, the Warriors would receive Richaun Holmes from the Mavs. Holmes is currently out of the rotation in Dallas, but he could contribute as a backup center on another squad. In his last full year as a starter, Holmes averaged 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

A center rotation of Kevon Looney and Holmes might not wow anyone, but at least Golden State would have the option of defending players like Nikola Jokic with multiple bigs. Instead of throwing Looney and the 6-foot-6 Draymond Green at opposing bigs.

Sending out Jonathan Kuminga is the biggest loss for the Warriors in this deal. The 21-year-old still offers tantalizing potential. It's up to the Warriors whether or not they'd like to hold onto the young, athletic forward.

Conversely, it's up to Kuminga whether he wants to continue waiting in the wings on a veteran-laden Golden State squad that will likely compete as long as Curry plays.

Potential starting lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney

The Warriors receive a B for this trade. Shipping out Kuminga may not be the best idea, but a Hardy-for-Kuminga swap isn't overly lopsided. Plus, Golden State acquires additional draft picks in preparation for the future.

Grading the trade for the Dallas Mavericks

As prefaced, the Mavericks trot out a porous defense. The Mavericks can score with any squad in the league, but allowing 120 points per game is a recipe for disaster.

Dallas must add perimeter and interior defensive talent. In this trade, the Mavs acquire two exceptional athletes who are capable of defending the perimeter at a high level.

Taking a swing on Jonathan Kuminga is an ideal risk to take. The young forward is by no means disappointing, but he hasn't necessarily shined.

Throughout two-plus seasons, Kuminga has averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks on average efficiency. He shoots it 50.9 percent from the field, but only 33.9 percent from beyond the arc.

This season, Kuminga has looked better than before. He's averaging double-digit points and is getting to the free-throw line multiple times per game. He's averaging 4.5 freebies per contest. And he's making 74.1 percent of those.

Kuminga's offense also seems to be on the brink of a breakout. And this season might be the season. However, Dallas would make this trade to upgrade defense and athleticism.

Dallas could bring Kuminga off the bench or slide Kuminga in at the three, swapping Derrick Jones Jr. out in the process. The young wing's output is eerily similar to Jones Jr.'s. However, Kuminga's potential blows Jones Jr. out of the water. Additionally, Kuminga's usage rate is far higher, highlighting a potential for increased playmaking.

Aside from Kuminga, the Mavs would receive Gary Payton II in this deal. Payton II is a guard defender that Dallas desperately needs. Starting Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving equates to phenomenal defense, but foregoes defense.

Potential starting lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., Grant Williams, Dereck Lively II

Adding a defensive playmaker to the backcourt helps the Dallas defense tenfold. Without solid perimeter defenders, the Mavs are susceptible to huge-scoring nights from star guards.

Dallas receives an A for this trade. Acquiring Kumina and Payton II for a player on the outside of the rotation and another tip-toeing the line between playing time and DNPs is a massive win. Giving away multiple second-rounders may sting, but the youth in Dallas is more than enough to make up for a lack of future picks.