The Golden State Warriors officially said goodbye to Klay Thompson after an incredible run alongside his Splash Brother Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Now, the Warriors have shifted their focus not only to the future but also to competing in the Western Conference as long as Curry and Green remain. As a result, their number one target is arguably the most in-demand player in the NBA right now: Lauri Markkanen.
On paper, Markkanen's addition to the Warriors would make a ton of sense. The Finnish forward is a lengthy shooter at the power forward position who could unofficially join the Splash Brothers ranks, if Curry is taking applications, thanks to his 39.5 shooting percentage from deep. The Utah Jazz big man has a very high basketball IQ, and he possesses a three-level game.
After being largely miscast as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Markkanen has become a reliable scorer, averaging 24.5 points per game with the Jazz. Alongside Green, Markkanen could really thrive as a rebounding and scoring threat with the Warriors, potentially keeping them relevant pertaining to the championship equation in the NBA. Not to mention, he is a 27-year-old star that Golden State could build around heading into the future.
The only problem is that the Jazz want a Mikal Bridges-level trade package that the Brooklyn Nets recently got from the New York Knicks that included a plethora of draft picks.
Technically, the Warriors can make such a deal happen if they want to, as they own all of their first-round picks moving forward except in 2030. After moving below the first apron, the Warriors are not allowed to make trades that weren't available to them a week ago, when Thompson and Chris Paul were still on the books.
However, the Jazz reportedly aren't looking for a deal that is based solely on picks, and they would like to bring back a player or two from whom they can build around. Since he is still just 27 years old, Markkanen is a player the Jazz could look to keep for many years to come.
Jazz don't want a pick-heavy trade for Lauri Markkanen
Evaluating Utah's trade options heading into free agency, Tony Jones of The Athletic reported that if the Jazz decide to trade Markkanen, they are going to be looking to add talent to their roster who can contribute in 2024 and beyond instead of just draft picks.
“Jazz also know that many of the teams attempting to convince them to trade Markkanen are attempting to add to their core, and not subtract. So, Golden State is not going to offer Jonathan Kuminga,” Jones wrote. “The Kings won’t offer Murray. If the Oklahoma City Thunder call, they aren’t offering Jalen Williams. Many of the offers the Jazz have on the table are pick heavy. But if the Jazz trade Markkanen to anyone, they are likely making that team quite a bit better.
“So, how good will those picks ultimately be? That’s a question the Jazz have to answer.”
If the Jazz really can't land a haul that features a legit different maker like Kuminga, Murray, Jalen Williams, or any player of similar status, maybe they would be willing to put heavy value on the Warriors' first-round picks over similar offerings from a team like the Thunder or Kings that isn't built around a pair of players in their mid-30s. But if the Warriors are serious about trading for Markkanen, they might just have to include Kuminga in a deal.
Jonathan Kuminga shouldn't hold up a trade.
Ever since being selected seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga has been one of the most polarizing players within Warriors Nation.
Some love his size, upside, and the very real progression he showcased last season, finishing out the 2023-24 season with new career highs in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals while only increasing his time by 5.5 minutes per game. Still, there are some concerns about Kuminga's overall future and impact with the Warriors due to his ineffectiveness as a shooter.
At 21, Kuminga is far from a finished product, and he could see his stats improve where they need to. But frankly, it's worth wondering if the former lottery pick will ever be on Markkanen's level, let alone what he could be if he too improves his game.
Standing seven feet tall, Markkanen is a tough, athletic forward who takes eight triples per game while connecting on nearly a 40 percent clip. The best part about Markkanen pertaining to the Warriors is that he would be a lengthy body to throw in the paint on both ends of the court.
The Jazz forward is a fantastic rebounder, bringing in 8.2 boards per game, and he has the potential to join the 50-40-90 club with a passer like Curry next to him. At 27, Markkanen is just entering his prime. Considering that he's almost a decade younger than Curry, Markkanen could end up being the face of the Warriors once he retires, a level Kuminga may never reach.
The best trade package the Warriors could offer the Jazz for a chance at Markkanen would be Kuminga, Gary Payton II for cap reasons, and two first-round picks in 2025 and 2027. It is also possible that Golden State could include some pick saps in 2026, 2028, 2029, or 2031. However, that is a ton of future value to send out, basically meaning that the Warriors would be all-in for Markkanen.
Is Markkanen a player worthy of all of these first-round picks, some additional swaps, and a player like Kuminga?
That is in the eye of the beholder. But if the only way a deal gets done is to include Kuminga, the Warriors would be wise to include him in the proposed trade, as it's hard to imagine the young forward turning into a star for Golden State.
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