The Memphis Grizzlies' willingness to retool their roster by trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic opened up the door for the Golden State Warriors to complete a blockbuster deal of their own.
Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe predicts the Dubs will swap Jonathan Kuminga for a Grizzlies star forward this summer.
“In the wake of Desmond Bane's shock move to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the latest player doing the rounds as a potential trade target for the Golden State Warriors and others around the NBA,” O’Keefe wrote Monday.
“But even if Jackson is available to rival teams, the Warriors will face no shortage of competitors vying for a talented 25-year-old who can impact on both ends of the floor.
“Much of the reason the Magic were willing to offload four first-round picks and one pick swap for Bane is because they're confident that with him, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, there's little risk in those picks conveying into something truly substantial.”
“The Warriors don't have that luxury with a 37-year-old Stephen Curry, and 35-year-olds in Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green."
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“That makes Golden State's future picks enticing and far more valuable than others around the league, which, combined with talented youngsters Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, could see them enter the conversation with an offer such as this (Kuminga, Moody, and three future first picks to the Grizzlies for Jackson and John Konchar).”
If the Warriors want to upgrade their Kevin Looney and Quentin post-led big-man unit, they should consider contacting Jackson this offseason.
Whether camping on the perimeter and draining long-range jumpers with his unorthodox shooting form, succeeding as a roller after setting impactful screens, or showcasing his rim protection skills, Jackson changes games on both ends.
The young standout forward averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals with the recently eliminated Grizzlies, connecting on 48.8% of his field goals and 37.5% from deep.
Acquiring Jackson from Memphis wouldn’t be a breeze for the Warriors, though.
Recent reports suggest the Michigan State product will remain with the Grizzlies this summer, and there’s no guarantee the Dubs will be content with moving on from Kuminga after his stellar second-round playoff performance.
Still, Golden State should monitor Jackson’s situation in Memphis closely as free agency begins.
More NBA: Knicks center predicted to leave for Lakers to help Luka Doncic via three-team trade