The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, but the ripple effects are still being felt-especially in the Bay Area. The Golden State Warriors were right in the thick of the action, exploring big-swing moves that could reshape their roster and potentially extend their championship window. While there was plenty of smoke around some high-profile targets, nothing quite materialized the way many expected.
Let’s start with the headline grabber: Golden State reportedly had eyes on Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s right-Giannis.
The idea of pairing the two-time MVP with Steph Curry would’ve sent shockwaves through the league. But as expected, that kind of blockbuster never got off the ground.
Still, the Warriors weren’t done hunting. They shifted their focus to Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., a former Defensive Player of the Year and a versatile big who can stretch the floor. The fit made sense on paper-Jackson Jr. would’ve added size, rim protection, and a three-point threat to a team that’s struggled to find consistency in the frontcourt this season.
But here’s where things got complicated. Golden State wasn’t willing to part with Moses Moody and multiple future first-round picks, which would’ve significantly tied up their long-term flexibility.
That hesitation proved costly. The Grizzlies, looking to retool on the fly, pivoted and struck a deal with the Utah Jazz instead.
The Memphis-Utah trade was a massive one, involving eight players and a haul of draft picks. Memphis walked away with three first-rounders, rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr., and veterans Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang.
On the flip side, the Jazz acquired Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, and guards John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr., along with two first-round picks in 2027 and another in 2031. It was a bold move for both sides-Memphis loading up on assets, Utah betting big on Jackson Jr.’s upside.
So, did the Warriors miss out?
That’s the million-dollar question. Jackson Jr. brings a lot to the table-he’s a high-level defender, can knock down threes, and fits the mold of the modern NBA big.
But he’s not without flaws. His rebounding has been inconsistent, he’s prone to foul trouble, and his scoring efficiency has never quite hit elite levels.
For a team like Golden State, already walking a tightrope between contending and rebuilding, giving up key young pieces and future picks for that kind of player might’ve been too steep a price.
Instead, the Warriors pivoted once more, this time landing Kristaps Porzingis in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks that sent Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga the other way. Porzingis brings his own blend of shot-blocking, shooting, and floor spacing-arguably a better fit for Golden State’s current core if he can stay healthy.
In the end, we’ll never know what might’ve happened if the Warriors had sweetened their offer for Jackson Jr. But their approach tells us something: they’re still in win-now mode, but they’re not willing to mortgage the future blindly.
They’re walking a fine line, trying to stay competitive while keeping an eye on what comes next. And in today’s NBA, that’s as tricky as it gets.