NBA Rumors on Warriors' Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade Talks Amid Giannis Buzz Before Deadline

The Golden State Warriors reportedly showed interest in a trade for two-way big Jaren Jackson Jr. prior to Thursday's deadline.

Golden State held extensive conversations with the Memphis Grizzlies regarding a swap involving Jackson before pivoting to pursue Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the trade market, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne (h/t RealGM).

The Grizzlies ultimately sent Jackson to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, while the Warriors ended up acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

Golden State moved Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta in exchange for Porziņģis.

As for Antetokounmpo, he didn't experience a change of scenery.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Warriors, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves were among the teams that showed interest in adding the two-time MVP before Milwaukee chose to retain him.

Golden State could have decided to avoid giving up assets for Jackson in order to save them for a potential Antetokounmpo deal, although it didn't end up materializing.

The Warriors' search for an imposing rim protector was understandable, as their center rotation prior to the deadline largely consisted of Al Horford, Draymond Green, Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Horford, at 39 years old, is the only player in that group to average over 0.7 blocks per game.

Jackson or Antetokounmpo also could have given Golden State a scoring threat next to Stephen Curry, a particularly useful addition given Jimmy Butler's season-ending torn ACL.

Now, the Warriors will look for Porziņģis to space the floor and deter shots at the rim.

He's averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game this season on 45.7/36.0/84.0 shooting splits. Porziņģis has only appeared in 17 games due to an illness, but Golden State is reportedly anticipating his return shortly after the trade becomes official.

The Warriors own a 27-24 record, sitting at No. 8 in the Western Conference standings.