The Warriors’ search for another star alongside Stephen Curry has produced a growing collection of almosts.
The latest name to add to the list is Jaren Jackson Jr.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater revealed Golden State explored acquiring the former Defensive Player of the Year before Memphis traded him to Utah at February’s deadline.
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates a basket against the Golden State Warriors during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA playoffs at FedExForum on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Memphis, Tennessee. Getty Images
“I’ll give you one that is probably talked about least in the last few years of swings and misses: it’s Jaren Jackson at the deadline,” Slater said. “They were kind of sniffing around that.”
Those talks were ultimately tabled as Golden State turned its attention toward a much bigger prize: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Utah swooped in and acquired Jackson for a package featuring three first-round picks.
That sequence looks more painful in hindsight.
After Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending torn ACL in January, Golden State began looking beyond simply patching its roster. General manager Mike Dunleavy acknowledged that the injury had moved the “goalposts,” and the Warriors began pursuing players who could help extend Curry’s dwindling championship window.
Jackson was one option. Antetokounmpo quickly became the obsession.
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Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three-pointer against the Chicago Bulls during the second half on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago. Getty Images
The Warriors reportedly offered a package built around Draymond Green, Kuminga, four first-round picks and a swap, but Milwaukee never engaged enough to get a deal across the finish line. Golden State eventually pivoted to Kristaps Porzingis, sending Kuminga and Hield to Atlanta. The failed Giannis pursuit even put Green’s Warriors future in jeopardy.
Golden State also checked on Kawhi Leonard around the deadline when it appeared the Clippers might consider major changes. Nothing materialized.
Then came the summer.
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies goes up for a shot as Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks defends during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The Warriors had been plotting possible pursuits of both Antetokounmpo and LeBron James almost immediately after Butler went down. Antetokounmpo eventually landed in Miami, while Golden State made a serious push for James before he chose Philadelphia.
The Warriors also explored pairing James with Anthony Davis, although those discussions never gained traction with Washington. The Wizards reportedly weren’t interested in moving Davis. Golden State additionally discussed Jaylen Brown but never reached organizational consensus on paying Boston’s asking price.
Taken individually, each miss is understandable.
Together, they tell a different story.
Since Butler’s injury, Golden State has explored Jackson, Antetokounmpo, Leonard, Brown, Davis and James while searching for another centerpiece around Curry.
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