Golden State Warriors second-round draft pick Lajae Jones is taking his professional career to Italy, signing with Pallacanestro Trieste for the upcoming season. The 54th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft will not join the Warriors this year, opting instead for a season of development overseas. This move comes as the Warriors handle a challenging period, having lost their last three games, including a 115-110 defeat to the LA Clippers on April 13, 2026.
Jones, a versatile forward, played for four colleges before his standout senior year at Florida State. He averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Seminoles. After suiting up for Golden State's Summer League team, he faced a difficult path to a roster spot in training camp.
The Warriors' roster crunch made Jones's immediate NBA future uncertain. The team had already filled two of its three two-way contract slots with Malevy Leons and L.J. Cryer. Over the weekend, they awarded the final spot to Graham Ike, leaving Jones without a guaranteed place. Faced with this reality, the 22-year-old chose a professional opportunity in Italy's top league, Lega Basket Serie A.
This decision provides Jones with immediate playing time and a professional salary. He will gain valuable experience against high-level European competition. Importantly, the Golden State Warriors retain his NBA draft rights, leaving the door open for a future return. The club's general manager, Emiliano Carchia, confirmed the signing in an official statement, welcoming Jones to the Trieste organization.
The Warriors are in a phase of evaluation and transition. Their recent form shows a team searching for consistency, with a record of 1 win and 4 losses in their last five outings. The specific results were a 115-110 loss to the Clippers, a 124-118 defeat to the Sacramento Kings, a 103-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, a 110-105 win over the Kings, and a 116-117 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Stashing a draft pick overseas is a strategic move that allows the franchise to monitor a player's development without using a valuable roster spot. For Jones, it's a chance to refine his game, particularly his perimeter shooting and defensive versatility. He showed flashes of that potential at Florida State, adding 1.2 steals per game to his stat line.
Jones will immediately begin his career with Pallacanestro Trieste, focusing on adapting to the European style of play. The Warriors will keep a close eye on his progress throughout the Italian season. His performance abroad will be a key factor in determining when he might be ready to contribute in the NBA.
For the Warriors, the focus shifts to the current roster and improving results. The team needs to address its recent defensive struggles, having allowed an average of over 118 points in its last three losses. Integrating new two-way players like Ike, Leons, and Cryer will be important for depth. The development of young talent, both domestically and internationally, remains a cornerstone of the organization's long-term plan. Jones's journey is just beginning, and his path now takes a detour through Italy before potentially circling back to the Bay Area.
