The Golden State Warriors were reportedly active before February’s NBA trade deadline.
Golden State focused a lot of its attention on pursuing Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Warriors also reportedly discussed a potential trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr.
Leonard Was a Target Before Porziņģis
General manager Mike Dunleavy and Co. reportedly called the Los Angeles Clippers about Kawhi Leonard when the team seemed open to trading its franchise superstar, according to league sources.
A trade for Leonard never came to fruition.
This led the Warriors to pivot to the Atlanta Hawks and trade their disgruntled young forward Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porziņģis.
Leonard’s Current Form
Leonard still is in the prime of his career, even at 34 years old, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game and earning an All-Star nod this season.
Adding the two-time NBA champion to Golden State’s roster instantly would have brought in both offensive and defensive firepower.
Porziņģis’s Arrival and Absence
Instead, the Warriors acquired Porziņģis, who has not suited up since his Golden State debut on Feb. 19 against the Boston Celtics due to a mysterious illness.
Porziņģis had been on the franchise’s radar as an eventual trade target since last season, when it became clear the Celtics were careening toward a financial reckoning and would need to shed salary.
The Warriors struck up conversations with the Hawks about Porziņģis more than a month before February’s deadline, before Butler tore his ACL, viewing Porziņģis initially as a complementary finishing piece to a fringe contender.
Porziņģis travelled with the team for its three-game, six-day road trip that began with Golden State’s 115-113 thrilling overtime win over the Houston Rockets on Thursday, indicating a positive sign in the right direction for the 7-foot-2, 240-pound Latvian’s return.