Since February's trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors have been linked to all sorts of different NBA stars in one way or another. Some of those names include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown, not to mention their free agent pursuit of LeBron James.
However, there was yet another big name that Golden State failed to bring in. According to Warriors insider Anthony Slater, Golden State also had interest in acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies before his eventual trade to the Utah Jazz. Jackson Jr. was acquired for a price of three first-round picks, a couple of veteran players and one recent draft pick (Walter Clayton Jr.).
Although Jackson may not have helped the Warriors much last season, making just
three appearances for the Jazz before undergoing season-ending surgery, his presence on the Golden State's roster would have certainly shifted expectations heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Assuming the move wouldn't have involved Draymond Green, the acquisition of Jackson Jr. would have paired up the only two Defensive Player of the Year Award winners in league history from Michigan State.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Report: Warriors had interest in pairing two DPOY winners together
