In the final hours before the trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors completed a deal for Kristaps Porzingis and traded Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors, closing out their busy day with no additional transactions. However, the Warriors may regret their inactivity following a sudden trade involving Ivica Zubac, which had wider implications for their roster plans.
Missed Window to Pursue Kawhi Leonard Amid Last-Minute Zubac Trade
Ivica Zubac had been considered a target for the Warriors, and fans had hoped management would explore acquiring the veteran center. Yet, the greater disappointment lies in the lost opportunity to chase a trade for All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, a move that never materialized due to timing constraints. Zubac’s trade to the Indiana Pacers occurred just 90 minutes before the deadline, leaving Golden State and other contenders little chance to engage with the Los Angeles Clippers about Leonard’s future.
The Clippers’ roster underwent major upheaval after sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Pacers, sparking intense speculation about Leonard’s status. NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed that several teams reached out to inquire about Leonard, but the late nature of the Zubac transaction shut down potential negotiations.
“Teams were calling and trying to see if they could pry Kawhi away.” ?Chris Haynes, NBA insider
Hypothetical Leonard Deal Would Reshape Warriors’ Roster Dynamics
Had there been more time, Golden State might have seriously pushed for Leonard, especially after missing out on Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite trading promising talents Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks, the Warriors could have offered Porzingis, franchise stalwart Draymond Green, and valuable draft picks to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard.
Although it’s unclear whether the Clippers would have accepted such a package, pairing Stephen Curry with Leonard would have altered the Warriors’ competitiveness this season and going forward, particularly with Jimmy Butler expected to return to the league next year. Leonard’s injury history presents risks, but his elite performance—averaging a career-high 27.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 49.7% shooting so far this season—confirms his value when healthy.
Late Developments Leave Warriors’ Fans Disappointed Moving Forward
The timing of Zubac’s trade seemingly hampered Golden State’s ability to engage in more ambitious transactions, leaving fans frustrated after what many viewed as missed opportunities over the past 48 hours. With Leonard still on a Clippers team dramatically reshaped by recent deals, the Warriors must now focus on maximizing their new roster following the acquisition of Porzingis and the departure of key young players.
As Golden State assesses its position post-deadline, the Ivica Zubac trade impact has left a lasting effect on the franchise’s chances of making a major leap this season and beyond amidst tough Western Conference competition.
“Teams were calling and trying to see if they could pry Kawhi away.”@ChrisBHaynes breaks down Kawhi Leonard’s future with the Clippers pic.twitter.com/PCMHYIfELi
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) February 7, 2026
