How the Warriors almost traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. instead of Kristaps Porzingis
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How the Warriors almost traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. instead of Kristaps Porzingis originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Warriors were one of a few teams in trade rumors over the last few weeks, as they looked to make an impact move before the trade deadline.
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They ultimately decided to trade for Hawks' center Kristaps Porzingis, but there was almost a different reality where they traded for former DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. instead.
How the Warriors almost traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. instead of Kristaps Porzingis
*The following intel was provided by NBA insider Brett Siegel
Kristaps Porzingis is a trade deadline addition the Warriors were happy with, but he wasn't their first or even their second trade deadline target when it came to a big addition at the forward/center position.
The obvious first option was Giannis Antetokounmpo, but as we know, the Bucks decided to hold off on trading the former MVP and NBA champion.
MORE: The Bucks only listened to trade offers on Giannis Antetokounmpo for this clever reason
This brings us to their second option, which was Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. did get moved at the deadline, as the Grizzlies found common ground with the Jazz on a deal.
However, the Warriors were in talks to try to get Jackson Jr. before that eventually happened.
"Jackson became the Warriors' Plan B before the trade deadline, but their pursuit came with clear concerns and caveats," said NBA insider Brett Siegel.
He detailed that there was a world where Golden State made room and got assets to try to put a real trade together for Jackson Jr., but "Butler's injury and other teams' pursuit of Jackson only raised his price right before the deadline."
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Siegel said the Grizzlies had a request for a haul that consisted of an enticing package of players, and most importantly, three draft picks, but the Warriors were unwilling to give up that much draft capital.
We were able to get the framework on what the Warriors' best offer was for Jackson Jr., as Siegel detailed it to be "some variation of two clear draft picks, some sort of swap, Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and another contract for salary purposes."
The Warriors ultimately parted ways with Kuminga and Hield in the Porzingis trade, but the extra assets appear to be what they were unsteady about giving up.
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Lastly, Siegel said the Grizzlies had interest in Moses Moody, but that Golden State was reluctant to part ways with him and the draft capital they were asking for.
It certainly could have been a very different deadline if the Warriors struck on a deal for Jackson Jr., but it appears they were satisfied with a less risky move in the end, which was Porzingis.
Although the Warriors want to be competitive, especially while Steph Curry and Draymond Green are playing, they are aware of the value of draft picks further down the line, which in the end was enough to prevent them from making a risky trade for Jackson Jr.
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