The Golden State Warriors are still one superstar (Stephen Curry) and one defensive anchor (Draymond Green) away from truly terrifying the Western Conference again. Right now, they’re a playoff team that can beat anybody on a given night and lose to anybody on the next. The difference between those two versions almost always comes down to defense—or the lack of it.
Enter Herb Jones.
According to a new report from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Warriors are one of the teams “actively exploring ways” to acquire the New Orleans Pelicans’ All-Defensive First Team wing if New Orleans ever opens the door. And with Zion Williamson sidelined again with another long-term injury, that door may be creaking open sooner than anyone expected.
Herb Jones isn’t a household name yet, but ask any opposing star who’s had to score on him over the last three seasons and watch their face change. Elite instincts, ridiculous lateral quickness, 6’8” with a 7’0” wingspan, and the rare ability to guard 1 through 4 (and sometimes 5 in a pinch) at an All-Defensive level. He’s the ultimate low-maintenance, high-impact player: doesn’t need the ball, doesn’t complain about shots, just erases mistakes and wins possessions.
That’s exactly what Golden State has been missing since Andre Iguodala aged out of being a nightly wing stopper.
Why the Warriors Are All In
The Warriors’ defensive issues this season aren’t complicated. When Draymond Green isn’t on the floor—or when he’s forced to guard the opponent’s best scorer every single night—the whole system frays. Young wings take turns gambling, rotations lag half a second late, and suddenly role players are dropping career highs.
Herb Jones fixes that in one move.
- He takes the toughest perimeter assignment every night, freeing Draymond to roam and orchestrate.
- His off-ball instincts clean up breakdowns before they become highlight-reel dunks.
- On offense, he’s the perfect Warrior: relentless cutter, smart passer, willing catch-and-shoot threat (37% from three last season), zero ego.
Put simply, Jones next to Curry, Draymond, and whatever version of Klay Thompson/Andrew Wiggins shows up would immediately make Golden State the most switchable, disruptive perimeter defense in the league again.
The Trade Path Starts (and Probably Ends) With Jonathan Kuminga
January 15 is the date every Warriors fan has circled. That’s when Jonathan Kuminga officially becomes trade-eligible after signing his unique “trade-friendly” extension last summer.
The writing has been on the wall for months. Kuminga’s explosive talent is undeniable—13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, elite finishing through contact—but the fit next to Green and the inconsistent role have created friction. Golden State structured his deal specifically to keep maximum flexibility. Translation: they always knew this day might come.
Kuminga is the only young asset the Warriors have that can realistically headline a Herb Jones trade. Moses Moody is a nice complementary piece on a team-friendly deal, but he’s not moving the needle for New Orleans by himself. Andrew Wiggins’ contract is useful salary filler, and the Warriors have a war chest of future picks, but the centerpiece has to be Kuminga’s upside.
Warriors vs. Lakers: Who Actually Wins the Jones Sweepstakes?
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly in the mix too. Their need for wing defense is just as desperate. But look at the trade ammunition side-by-side:
Warriors can offer:
- Jonathan Kuminga (21, athletic freak, years of control, two-way potential)
- Moses Moody + picks + salary filler
Lakers can offer:
- Rui Hachimura
- Dalton Knecht (shooter, but limited defensively so far)
- Gabe Vincent / filler
It’s not particularly close. New Orleans, if they move Jones, will want youth and upside—exactly what Kuminga represents. Knecht can space the floor, but Kuminga can be a long-term starter on both ends. The Pelicans are already one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league; they need more than another one-dimensional shooter.
The Tipping Point in New Orleans
The Pelicans have resisted trading Herb Jones for years, and for good reason. He’s the exact type of player contending teams beg for and rebuilding teams desperately try to find. But Zion Williamson’s latest long-term injury has thrust the franchise into uncomfortable territory. When your best player can’t stay on the floor, eventually the math stops working.
If New Orleans decides to retool or even reset, Herb Jones instantly becomes the most valuable trade chip on the market who isn’t a disgruntled superstar demanding out.
And the Warriors will be waiting with the best offer.
Warning to the Rest of the West
If Golden State pulls this off, the ripple effect is massive. A Curry–Jones–Green–Wiggins core with Draymond no longer carrying the entire defensive load? That’s a team that can flip the switch in April and make the entire conference sweat again.
Herb Jones doesn’t sell jerseys. He doesn’t put up 30-point nights. But he wins championships.
And right now, the Golden State Warriors are doing everything they can to make sure the next one has his name on the back.
The balance of power in the West might be one phone call away from shifting—dramatically.