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Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts to officiating on the court against the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Chase Center on January 20, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
The Golden State Warriors tried and failed to land Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the February 5th NBA trade deadline.
While there were numerous reports about how interested both Antetokounmpo was in joining the Warriors, as well as the Bucks’ interest in the package Golden State had to offer, nothing ever came to fruition.
Instead, the Warriors traded Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis in what was their ‘Plan B’ move. However, according to a new report, Golden State has serious discussions about trying to add former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., previously of the Memphis Grizzlies, in a trade before the deadline.
“A couple of weeks ago, the Warriors had some pretty extensive conversations with the Memphis Grizzlies about Jaren Jackson Jr.,” Ramona Shelborne said on NBA Today. “But then Giannis was maybe available, and so they tabled those conversations because they needed those (two 1st round) picks in the Giannis trade, and then Utah came in with three 1st round picks.”
Ramona:
“Couple weeks ago the Warriors had some pretty extensive conversations with the Memphis Grizzlies about Jaren Jackson Jr…but then Giannis was maybe available and so they tabled those conversations because they needed those (two 1st round) picks in the Giannis trade and
The Warriors were always expected to be big-game hunting at the trade deadline, and while there were rumors about Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler being moved, it ended up just being Kuminga and Hield in the deal for Porzingis.
Warriors Talked About Trading For JJJ, Missed Out On Giannis
Golden State’s offer for Antetokounmpo was clear and on the table for everyone to see. They were ready to move either Butler or Green, Kuminga, and a group of other young players, along with their four available draft picks.
However, the Bucks weren’t interested. But while there was consistently one of the teams in the hunt for Antetokounmpo, they also had reported discussions on Jackson, who was instead moved to the Utah Jazz in a deal before the deadline.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.
“The Golden State Warriors held extensive talks with the Memphis Grizzlies on a deal for Jaren Jackson Jr. a few weeks ago with a similar package that was ultimately offered by the Utah Jazz,” RealGM.com staff wrote on the new report.
Though not having his strongest season, the idea of Jackson joining up with Stephen Curry and whoever else would be left on the roster is an intriguing thought. The former DPOY is averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 45 games this season.
His ability to stretch the floor while also being a top-tier rim-protector could have been a great addition to head coach Steve Kerr’s lineup, but as it was reported, those talks never became anything more.
Instead, Golden State landed Porzingis. While he might not have the consistent defensive abilities as a player like Jackson, he’ll be able to space the floor equally, or potentially more, than the now-Jazz big man. While Antetokounmpo was clearly the top target, the Warriors apparently had their eyes on several players ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Warriors Don’t Trade Draymond Green Before Deadline
In other Bay Area basketball news, Golden State has kept Green past the deadline. While he has been a very valuable piece to their dynastic run, there were reports that he would have been included in a deal for Antetokounmpo. The four-time champion initially said he wasn’t worried about being moved, but as the days went on, his future became more and more in question.
Draymond Green will remain with the Warriors through the trade deadline, per sources. He was involved in Giannis conversation that never gained traction, but part of pivot plan to Kristaps Porzingis includes idea of pairing complementary Draymond/Porzingis frontcourt skill sets.
“I think a lot of people want to know how I feel about it,” Green said. “Like, am I upset about it? I’m not at all. If [trading me is] what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for this organization.”
“I’ve been here 13½ years. That’s longer than probably 98% of NBA players have been in one place. A guy from Saginaw, Michigan. I don’t know that it ends at 13½, but if it does, what a (expletive) ing run it’s been. I’ll take the fine. What a (expletive) run it has been. That’s just how I feel.”
Despite those reports, Green is now staying in Golden State, where he’s spent the entirety of his Hall of Fame-level career.
Interestingly enough, at the same time Green was mentioned in trade rumors, he also expressed his interest in teaming up with his longtime friend and rival, LeBron James.
“I’ve always wanted to [play with him],” Green said. “Saying I wanted to go to his team, that’s not the case. I’m very comfortable in my situation with 30 [Curry] and what we’ve built and what we have…I’ve always wanted the opportunity. Just to experience it, to see how he thinks, to see, all right, what I could do to help him and his thinking. Or what can I learn and pick up about what he’s thinking?”
Though the possibility of either Green going to the Los Angeles Lakers or James heading North to the Warriors, chances of that happening this season can be thrown out the window.
There was a ton of limbo in Golden State in the days leading up to the trade deadline, but for now, everyone but Kuminga and Hield is safe.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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