Lauri Markkanen is the biggest name remaining on the NBA trade market. The 27-year-old forward is Utah Jazz He will be eligible for a contract extension next month. Utah feels like a franchise at a crossroads, and the decision to keep or move their best player will likely define the coming seasons.
There should be a wide market for Markkanen, but the names most frequently mentioned as trade partners are: Golden State WarriorsAfter failing to acquire Paul George earlier in the offseason, the Warriors are reportedly in talks with Utah for Markkanen and clearer outlines of a potential trade are starting to take shape. The only question is whether the Warriors front office, now led by Mike Dunleavy, is prepared to meet Danny Ainge’s asking price.
NBA insider Shams Charania breaks down the sticking points of trade talks between the Warriors and Jazz surrounding Markkanen. Here’s his full report via SiriusXM NBA Radio:
Here’s what the Jazz are looking for in a Markkanen trade, according to Charania:
- Brandin Podziemski
- Three unprotected first-round picks
- 3-4 Unprotected Pick Swaps
- 3-4 second-round picks
“From the Warriors’ perspective, if it’s Poziemski, it’s not the whole pick,” Charania said. “If it’s the whole pick, it’s not going to be Poziemski. Right now, both sides are sticking by their guns and saying nothing’s going to change.”
There’s one big name missing from the trade discussions: Jonathan Kuminga. The 21-year-old is up for a contract extension this summer. Kuminga showed impressive improvement in his third year last season, but there are still questions about his role on the team and whether he would fit into Golden State’s starting lineup. Kuminga was always going to be involved in any Markkanen trade, so it’s interesting that the Jazz don’t really want him.
Podziemski was phenomenal last season after being selected 19th overall by the Warriors in the 2023 NBA Draft. He eventually replaced Klay Thompson in the Warriors’ starting lineup and was named to the All-Rookie First Team. Podziemski isn’t the biggest or most athletic guard, but he has great talent for getting in on plays and making a positive impact on his team. He always knows exactly where he needs to be, and with his well-rounded skill set, he rarely misses an opportunity. With three cheap seasons left on his rookie contract, it makes sense that he’s a player Utah would target in trade talks.
Sending Markkanen to the Warriors is an attractive trade on the surface for a number of reasons. The Warriors have Stephen Curry, who is performing at an elite level at 36 years old, and they know they need to add another big piece to give him another chance to win a championship. At the same time, the Western Conference is so stacked with powerhouses that even trading Markkanen and using up future trade assets might not be enough to win a championship.
Can Utah really hold onto Markkanen this season? The Jazz are looking to rebuild and will need to lose a lot to qualify for the Cooper Flag Derby in the 2025 NBA Draft. Either way, Markkanen won’t fit on Utah’s schedule, but the bottom of the flag race is already crowded.
Don’t be surprised if other teams try to join the Markkanen trade derby. No one expected Ainge to trade Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland or Rudy Gobert to Minnesota. Jazz executives have set sky-high asking prices for their stars and are waiting for someone to match them. Now it’s up to the Warriors to get together and make the most audacious trade of the NBA offseason.
