NBA trade proposal sends Anthony Davis, Jonathan Kuminga to Hawks

If creativity counts, this one might already have a trophy.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton cooked up a massive five-team trade concept that would send Anthony Davis to Atlanta and reshuffle the futures of several franchises in one sweeping move. It’s complicated, bold and very Pelton.

Below is how the deal would look.

Hawks get:
Anthony Davis
Jonathan Kuminga
Buddy Hield
Devin Carter

Mavericks get:
Zach LaVine
2026 first-round pick (via Warriors, top-14 protected, otherwise 2032 second-round pick, picks 31–50)
2027 first-round pick (via worse of Bucks and Pelicans, top-four protected)

Kings get:
Trae Young
Luke Kennard

Warriors get:
Kristaps Porzingis

Pistons get:
Doug McDermott
Cash considerations

Pelton notes the primary challenge for Atlanta is salary. Trading for Davis almost requires Trae Young to be moved to avoid a massive payroll spike in 2026–27.

Sending Young directly to Dallas, however, makes little sense unless Kyrie Irving is involved. Hence the five-team workaround.

In this scenario, Dallas flips Young for LaVine, who fits better alongside Irving and costs significantly less than Davis over the next two seasons. The Mavericks also add two first-rounders, boosting their trade flexibility.

Atlanta lands Davis without touching its most valuable assets, including the unprotected 2026 first-round pick via New Orleans or top pick Zaccharie Risacher.

Sacramento turns LaVine into a long-term answer at point guard without surrendering draft capital. Golden State finally moves on from Kuminga and gets the stretch big it has coveted.

Pelton calls it a rare deal that works on basketball, financial and draft-value levels.

The risk for Dallas is clear. LaVine likely opts into his $49 million deal next season, pushing the Mavericks into the luxury tax and beyond the first apron.

Wild? Absolutely. Creative? No question.