Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, left, and Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 2, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson) (John Munson, AP)
The biggest trade chip remaining this offseason is reportedly staying put, leaving the Warriors with a roster upgraded at the margins but without a major summer splash.
According to The Athletic, the Jazz and Lauri Markkanen are expected to complete a contract extension worth upwards of $200 million over five years in the coming days. Signing after Tuesday – the first day he and Utah can negotiate an extension — will make the sweet-shooting forward ineligible to be traded for the 2024-25 regular season.
Golden State was one of the teams that reportedly showed interest in trading for Markkanen, but no team overwhelmed Jazz general manager Danny Ainge with an offer. Per The Athletic, the Warriors didn’t budge from a trade package centered around Moses Moody, future first-round picks and pick swaps. They were “protective” of promising young guard Brandin Podziemski, The Athletic reported.
Markkanen would’ve provided a massive lift to the Warriors, both immediately and in the future. He’s one of the most efficient scorers in the game, and the Warrior’s biggest need is a No. 2 playmaker next to Steph Curry.
A 7-footer capable of shooting 40% from 3, Markken would’ve given the Warriors a different look offensively and allow them more lineup flexibility. It’s easy to envision players like Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green excelling next to Markkanen in the front court with the spacing he provides.
Markkanen is also only 27 years old, so trading for him would have helped bridge the Warriors from their current run centered around Curry to whatever is beyond the end of his prime.
But all the reasons why the Warriors — or any other team — would covet Markkanen, apply to the Jazz as well.
Utah remains rebuilding, but has the draft assets from the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades to speed up their roster reconstruction. They had to shut down Markkanen last year because he was propping their team up too well in the race to the bottom, and may run into a similar issue this year as the 2025 NBA Draft could have generational prospects at the top in Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe.
Markkanen has publicly expressed his and his family’s favorability toward Utah, and signing with the Jazz long-term stamps that.
The Warriors’ pursuit of Markkanen came after the reportedly tried to execute a complex sign-and-trade for Paul George, who later signed with the 76ers in free agency.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob has been steadfast in his desire to build a contender, but open about the risks of repeatedly crossing aprons in the new collective bargaining agreement.
As it stands now, the Warriors are over the luxury tax threshold but under the first apron — which they’re hard-capped at. They acquired role players De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield as Klay Thompson and Chris Paul departed.
Golden State has 14 rostered players and the maximum three two-way spots occupied, with second-round pick Quinten Post still unsigned. The back-ends of rosters can be fluid at this time of year.
Originally published at Danny Emerman