As soon as Jonathan Kuminga became trade-eligible, he made his intentions clear: he wants out of Golden State. And frankly, the Warriors might not be opposed to making that happen-if the return package is right.
They’re not just looking to move a player; they’re looking to reshape their future. That means any deal involving Kuminga has to bring back real value, not just a placeholder.
That’s where the Memphis Grizzlies come into the conversation. If Memphis is open to more than just moving on from Ja Morant-if they’re truly ready to hit the reset button-then Golden State has to at least pick up the phone. Because Jaren Jackson Jr. might be exactly what the Warriors need to get back on track.
Let’s break it down.
Golden State’s biggest needs right now are size, defensive versatility, and complementary offense. Jackson checks all three boxes-and then some.
At 6'10" and 242 pounds, he brings the kind of physical presence the Warriors have lacked since their title-winning days with a healthy Kevon Looney and a younger Draymond Green anchoring the frontcourt. Jackson’s defensive skill set is elite: he can protect the rim, switch on the perimeter, and cover just about any assignment you throw at him.
Offensively, he’s become a reliable secondary scorer and a legitimate floor-spacer. Since the start of last season, he’s been averaging 21 points per game while hitting over 37% from three on real volume.
That’s not just a nice-to-have-it’s a game-changer for a team like Golden State.
In a vacuum, Jackson is everything the Warriors could want in a trade target. The only problem?
He might not be available. Memphis has long viewed Jackson as a cornerstone, someone to build around rather than trade away.
But if the Grizzlies are truly considering a full reset-especially if Morant is on the move and Desmond Bane’s future is uncertain-then Jackson’s situation gets a little murkier.
Would he want to stay through a rebuild? That’s the question. If Jackson is looking for a winning environment, Golden State can offer one, even if their current record doesn’t scream “contender.”
The Warriors are sitting at 22-19, which puts them in the middle of the Western Conference pack. But dig a little deeper, and there’s still a heartbeat.
When Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green share the floor, the Warriors outscore opponents by 7.0 points per 100 possessions-a net rating that would rank fourth in the league. That trio still has the juice.
What they need is a player who can elevate the supporting cast and help them close the gap between “dangerous” and “dominant.”
Jackson could be that player.
His presence behind a Curry-Brandin Podziemski backcourt would stabilize the defense. His offensive game would give the Warriors a much-needed third scoring option who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. He can stretch the floor, attack mismatches, and thrive in the kind of motion-heavy offense Steve Kerr loves to run.
Of course, pulling off a trade like this won’t be easy. Kuminga is just the starting point.
Golden State would likely have to package him with multiple assets-young players, picks, and maybe even salary fillers-to make Memphis think twice. But if the Grizzlies are looking at a full-scale rebuild, they could be tempted by the idea of acquiring as many as three young building blocks and two future first-round picks from a team whose core stars are all on the wrong side of 35.
It’s the kind of deal that makes both teams pause and think.
For Memphis, it’s a chance to retool around youth and future flexibility. For Golden State, it’s a shot at plugging a major hole and reigniting their championship window before it closes for good.
There’s no guarantee Jackson becomes available. But if he does, the Warriors need to be at the front of the line.
Because players with his skill set-and his fit in Golden State’s system-don’t come around often. And if they believe they’re just one piece away from making a real run, Jackson might be the missing link.