NBA Lauri Markkanen announcements that he’s leaving Utah Jazz Basketball jazz another significant issue for the team

Insider Sheds Light on Jazz’s Chances to Trade Markkanen to Warriors

 

The Utah Jazz are still involved in some major trade rumors surrounding Lauri Markkanen.

 

 

 

At this point in the offseason cycle, it’s become increasingly likely that Markkanen and the Jazz will hammer out a new deal as no team has been ambitious enough to offer up a package Utah appreciates enough to ship off their franchise cornerstone.

However, it still hasn’t stopped teams from staying active on the phones with Danny Ainge and Co.– more specifically, the Golden State Warriors.

 

The Warriors have remained towards the top of the list for Markkanen suitors as rumors have ensued this summer, though the two sides have stuck far apart in their negotiations of a blockbuster trade.

 

It seems though that we now have an idea of what could push a deal like this over the edge for Utah, as new developments surfacing show that the Jazz could have their eye on a specific player within Golden State’s budding young core.

 

According to a report in NBA insider Marc Stein’s substack, the Warriors and Jazz still remained engaged in trade talks surrounding Markkanen, with Utah’s primary interest being centered around second-year guard Brandon Podziemski in a potential return for the one-time All-Star:

 

“There is a belief in some corners of the league that Utah’s interest in Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski, in combination with future draft compensation that the Warriors could package with the All-Rookie first team selection, is serious enough that it keeps alive the prospect of a Lauri Markkanen trade between now and Aug. 6… Yet there is also a growing belief leaguewide that the Warriors would be more willing to move Jonathan Kuminga in a Markkanen trade — or any big-swing deal — than Podziemski.”

 

– Marc Stein

The two Warrior names that continue to emerge in potential Markkanen trades are Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga– both emerging stars in Golden State that could ultimately be placed as a centerpiece within a deal with Utah.

 

Yet, it seems that the Warriors have remained hesitant to include Podziemski into the framework with the Jazz, as the first-round pick from last year burst onto the scene as an immediate impact player in their rotation. He finished the year averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 45.4/38.5/63.3 shooting splits for Golden State– impressive stats for a first-year player in Steve Kerr’s system, making for a player this team wants to keep around, but that’s wishful thinking.

 

The reservations of putting Podziemski into a deal is a decision that could make-or-break these discussions for the Warriors. We know that Danny Ainge is far from a GM willing to settle in any trade he makes, so the idea of withholding their premier young talent while also getting a deal done for a star like Markkanen has a slim chance of coming to fruition.

 

Utah has made it clear from the start that any team who wants their prized jewel will have to force their hand and make an offer good enough that can’t be refused. Golden State seems to be a team ambitious in their efforts to bring a second star like Markkanen next to an aging Stephen Curry, but that’s hard to pull off without putting all of your chips on the table.

 

Expect Markkanen chatter to continue as we await the Jazz’s long-anticipated August 6th date, which will open the door for a big-time extension to be hammered out.

 

 

If Utah is looking to play for draft position this season, then a Markkanen for Johnson exchange would contribute to the task on hand. Johnson has had some solid seasons since being drafted late in the first round in 2019. However, he’s a far cry from where Markkanen is currently at in his career. Johnson’s best year as a pro was when he averaged a career-high 22 points per game during the 2022-23 season.

 

From the outside looking in, Jazz CEO Danny Ainge could likely get a much better package than that.

 

 

The Spurs are headed in the right direction, and any future first-round picks would not be trending to be in the lottery, considering Markkanen would be paired up with Victor Wembamyama for the foreseeable future.

 

The Golden State Warriors still make some sense for the Jazz. The Warriors want to go all in and try to win a title, while Steph Curry is still a top-10 player. Curry can still perform at an elite level on the court, but the first-round picks could be had when Curry and Draymond Green are out of the picture. Curry is 36, while Green turned 34 in March. According to Siegel, the talks between Utah and Golden State have cooled off since the start of Summer League.

 

 

“No trade between the Warriors and Jazz has been imminent since the start of July, sources said. Dialogue between the two sides continued into the start of NBA Summer League but has since cooled.”

 

 

 

According to Bookies.com, the most likely team Markkanen will suit up for is still the Jazz. The online bookie has 8 other possible suitors, led by the Atlanta Hawks, Spurs, and Miami Heat. Ainge does have a reputation to hold, and Jazz fans shouldn’t expect anything less than what the Brooklyn Nets received in the Mikal Bridges trade. The Nets received:

 

Bojan Bogdanovic

Mamadi Diakite

Shake Milton

unprotected 1st-round pick in 2025

unprotected 1st-round pick in 2027

unprotected 1st-round pick in 2029

unprotected 1st-round pick in 2031

unprotected pick swap in 2028

top-four protected 2025 1st-round pick via Bucks

2nd round pick in 2025

That said, all eyes are on August 6 when Markkanen can sign an extension and still be traded at the 2025 trade deadline. Any extension after that, the Jazz would have to wait until next offseason if they wanted to move their best player. Jazz fans should get answers soon.