With the No. 54 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors selected Florida State wing Lajae Jones. Jones rounded out Golden State's 2026 draft class alongside first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg. While Lendeborg is set to report to Golden State's training camp soon, Jones appeared to be headed in a different route.
According to an announcement from the club, Jones is signing with Pallacanestro Trieste in Italy, opting to play his first season of professional basketball overseas. Pallacanestro Trieste is located in Trieste, Italy, and plays in the Lega Basket Serie A, the top Italian league. The Warriors will still hold Jones' draft rights if he decides to return to the NBA.
Via @bylucaevans on X:
#Warriors second-round pick Lajae
Jones has signed with overseas Pallacanestro Trieste in Italy, the club announced. Seemed likely Jones would be a draft-and-stash. Golden State is signing Graham Ike to its final two-way slot for 26-27.
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) September 21, 2026
After spending the Summer League with the Warriors, Jones was likely in competition for one of Golden State's two-way roster spots. On Monday, the Warriors filled their final two-way slot by signing undrafted free agent rookie center Graham Ike. The Gonzaga big man will join Malevy Leons and LJ Cryer on two-way contracts with the Warriors.
Jones will join former Warriors Juan Toscano-Anderson in Italy at Pallacanestro Trieste. Toscano-Anderson joined Pallacanestro Trieste in 2025. Pistons wing Javonte Green played for Trieste from 2016 to 2018.
Jones played his final season of college basketball for Florida State, averaging 12.7 points on 42.7% shooting from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc, along with 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Report: Warriors second round pick LaJae Jones signs with Pallacanestro Trieste in Italy
