The Golden State Warriors completed two trades before Thursday’s NBA deadline, sending forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for center Kristaps Porziņģis, and moving rookie big man Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2026 second-round pick.
Talks for Jaren Jackson Jr. Paused by Potential Giannis Pursuit
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said on NBA Today that Golden State held “pretty extensive” discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies two weeks ago regarding forward Jaren Jackson Jr. The Warriors were prepared to part with two first-round picks, according to Shelburne, but shelved the proposal when the prospect of a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo surfaced. Shelburne added that Utah later entered the bidding for Jackson with a three-first-round-pick offer.
Kerr Reflects on Kuminga’s Time in Golden State
Head coach Steve Kerr told ESPN’s Anthony Slater that Kuminga’s development was complicated by the franchise’s title aspirations. “He needed the runway to make more mistakes,” Kerr said, noting the forward’s raw skill set when he arrived as the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft. “It was very tough not being allowed to make those mistakes. For us as a staff, it was tricky trying to develop him while we were trying to win.” Kerr emphasized that Kuminga was well-liked within the locker room but ultimately proved “a tough fit.”
The Athletic’s Nick Friedell reported that the organization is relieved to move past the uncertainty that marked Kuminga’s tenure and remains cautiously optimistic about resuming Antetokounmpo discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks this summer.
Butler Surgery, Green Staying Put
The Warriors confirmed veteran forward/center Draymond Green will stay with the team past the trade cutoff. Slater wrote that the club believes Porziņģis, assuming he is healthy, should complement Green in the frontcourt. Slater also noted Green was included in Golden State’s proposal for Antetokounmpo, though talks never gained traction.
Separately, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will undergo surgery on February 9 to repair the torn ACL he sustained in his right knee on January 19, the team announced.
Source: Hoops Rumors
