Golden State’s front office spent the final days before Thursday’s trade deadline examining a series of high-profile possibilities before settling on Kristaps Porziņģis, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Team officials see the 7-foot-3 center as a low-risk, high-upside addition and sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta to complete the swap after broader pursuits stalled.
Talks for Murphy and Jackson fell short
Sources told ClutchPoints the Warriors were prepared to offer Kuminga, an unprotected 2026 first-round pick and a lightly protected 2028 first-rounder for New Orleans wing Trey Murphy III. The Pelicans, however, set a price of at least three firsts and were unconvinced Kuminga fit their long-term plans.
Golden State also engaged Memphis on Jaren Jackson Jr. The package under discussion included Kuminga, Hield, two first-round picks and a pick swap. Memphis preferred either Moses Moody or more distant draft assets expected to convey after Stephen Curry retires, and Utah ultimately outbid the Warriors for Jackson’s services.
Porziņģis eyes debut after All-Star break
Head coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday the newly acquired Porziņģis completed three-on-three work and is projected to play limited minutes in the first game following the All-Star break. The 28-year-old has appeared in only 17 contests this season because of injury and illness but called the move to Golden State “a great opportunity” and expressed confidence in the team’s medical staff.
Dunleavy: Green was never on the block
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. told reporters Saturday that Draymond Green’s name surfaced in discussions only when rival clubs inquired. “It was never remotely close” to the four-time champion leaving, Dunleavy said, pushing back on reports that Green might have been part of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo package.
Warriors say they still have trade capital
Dunleavy added that Golden State remains positioned to chase another major acquisition, noting the club “still has the goods” to make future deals because the Porziņģis trade did not deplete core assets.
Kerr expected to stay as long as he chooses
Siegel reports the organization hopes Kerr will coach the Warriors until he and Curry choose to retire together. Despite speculation that the 2025-26 season could be his last, team sources do not sense an imminent departure.
Green praises Hield’s short stint
On “The Draymond Green Show,” the veteran forward called Hield one of his all-time favorite teammates and said the guard’s exit “leaves a gap” in the locker room.
The Warriors will resume play after the All-Star break with Porziņģis expected to make his team debut and the front office still holding assets for future moves.
Source: HoopsRumors
