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Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors is looked at by teammates and trainers after he collided with Davion Mitchell #45 of the Miami Heat and injured his knee during the third quarter at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
The Golden State Warriors’ direction at the NBA trade deadline is coming into focus following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury — and one high-profile veteran option is firmly off the table.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Warriors have no interest in acquiring Sacramento Kings wing DeMar DeRozan, despite speculation that the six-time All-Star could serve as a short-term replacement for Butler.
“As for DeMar DeRozan, while he has been cited as a possible replacement in the wake of the Warriors losing Jimmy Butler for the season with a torn ACL on Monday night, a Kings source indicated the Warriors have shown no interest in the 36-year-old guard,” Amick reported.
The stance reflects a broader organizational priority: if Golden State moves Jonathan Kuminga, it wants youth, upside, and long-term value — not another aging scorer.
DeRozan Still Productive, but Fit and Timeline Don’t Align
DeMar DeRozan
GettySacramento Kings’ DeMar DeRozan during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers in December 2025.
DeRozan continues to produce efficiently in Sacramento, averaging 18.8 points, 4.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 51% from the field and 36% from three-point range.
However, his offensive profile remains heavily midrange-oriented. DeRozan is attempting just 2.1 three-pointers per game, limiting his spacing impact in an offense built around Stephen Curry’s perimeter gravity.
While DeRozan’s skill set could theoretically complement Curry, the Warriors appear unwilling to sacrifice flexibility or assets for a player nearing the end of his prime.
Warriors Seeking Younger Wing With Higher Ceiling
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Golden State’s ambitions in any potential Kuminga trade are significantly higher than a veteran swap.
“The big question is whether that’s really the type of value Mike Dunleavy Jr. is looking for in a Jonathan Kuminga trade,” Siegel said on Sactown Sports 1140. “I think their aspirations are much higher than that.”
Siegel added that league executives expect the Warriors to be aggressive in pursuing a player they’ve been tracking for some time, rather than reacting impulsively to Butler’s injury.
Trey Murphy III, Miles Bridges on the Radar
Amick has previously reported that Trey Murphy III is Golden State’s preferred wing target, though the New Orleans Pelicans have kept him off the table.
Another name to monitor is Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, who aligns more closely with Kuminga in age and salary.
Bridges is earning $25 million this season and is on a descending contract that expires next year at $22.8 million, making him more movable than most long-term deals. From a cap standpoint, the Warriors could match his salary using Kuminga’s $22.5 million deal plus a smaller contract.
Still, matching money is only part of the equation.
Draft Capital Reserved for True Difference-Maker
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has repeatedly emphasized that draft picks will only be moved for a franchise-altering player.
“Our picks always will and have been in play,” Dunleavy said this week. “To give up our picks, it’s got to be meaningful to get something back.”
Dunleavy also stressed that life after Curry remains central to roster planning.
“If we’re talking about trading draft picks that will be going out when Steph isn’t here,” he added, “it’s going to have to be a player that we think will be here when those picks are going out.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Remains the Long-Term Dream
That philosophy explains Golden State’s restraint. Leaguewide belief persists that the Warriors are saving draft capital in case a true superstar — such as Giannis Antetokounmpo — becomes available amid ongoing frustrations in Milwaukee.
Golden State’s message is clear: DeRozan is not the answer, and the Warriors are willing to remain patient rather than make a short-sighted move that compromises their future.
With the Feb. 5 deadline approaching, Golden State’s discipline may ultimately define its next chapter as much as any deal it chooses — or declines — to make.