Warriors Eye Herb Jones as Key Defensive Piece in Free Agency Puzzle
As the 2025 NBA free agency window opens, all eyes in Dub Nation are focused on how the Golden State Warriors plan to build around their battle-tested core. After a turbulent 2024-25 campaign that saw Steph Curry sidelined by injury and the team exit the postseason early, general manager Mike Dunleavy is operating with clear intent: find the right pieces to complement Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green—without blowing up the future.
Speaking recently on "The TK Show" with Tim Kawakami, Dunleavy emphasized that the Warriors aren’t necessarily shopping for superstars this time. The addition of Butler during last season’s trade deadline already ate up a massive chunk of their salary cap. Instead, they’re aiming to thread the needle—looking for affordable, versatile role players who can thrive in Steve Kerr’s system, fit beside their veteran stars, and actually improve both ends of the court.
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That’s where names like Herb Jones come in.
Jones, a defensive-minded wing for the New Orleans Pelicans, has emerged as one of the more intriguing, if under-the-radar, potential targets for Golden State. His salary—just under $14 million for the upcoming season—is relatively modest, especially considering the escalating contracts across the league. More importantly, he brings exactly what the Warriors need: elite on-ball defense, toughness, and positional versatility. In an environment where defense is non-negotiable and floor spacing is crucial, Jones checks a lot of boxes.
Of course, the challenge lies in what the Warriors can give up to get him. Would the Pelicans even entertain swapping Jones for someone like Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody? That’s unclear. Kuminga is due a qualifying offer, and Golden State seems intent on either matching any outside offer or negotiating a sign-and-trade that doesn’t blow their cap space wide open.
But the Warriors know they can’t afford to miss. They need someone who can guard the league’s best wings, who doesn't need the ball to be effective, and who will buy into a system predicated on ball movement, spacing, and high-IQ play. Herb Jones is that kind of player.
The truth is, with Steph, Butler, and Draymond all in the back half of their prime—or nearing the twilight—Golden State isn’t just building for the future. They’re trying to win now, and every roster spot counts. There’s a reason Dunleavy says they’re “looking under every rock.” Herb Jones might not be a household name, but he’s the kind of quiet difference-maker the Warriors could absolutely use in their pursuit of one more championship run.
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