Last summer, there were plenty of rumors of Lauri Markkanen trade to the Golden State Warriors. The Utah Jazz forward talked about how he wanted to remain in Utah and eventually, he signed a contract extension there. The extension was done on a specific date so that he would be unavailable for trades at the deadline, essentially giving him a one-year no-trade clause. Now, rumors once again claim that the former All-Star will end up on the Warriors.
Lauri Markkanen Trade To Warriors: Part Two
The Golden State Warriors have a two-year window in which Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler are all under contract. For many around the team, this is the Last Dance and the last chance for a championship. It is only logical that they would be looking to maximize their chances of winning a championship during that period. Markkanen certainly fits the profile of a player that would improve their chances. It seems like this summer, we will go over the same story of the Warriors trying to land Lauri Markkanen. Will they have a better chance this time?
Right now, it seems like they are the betting favorites. According to the sports betting website Bovada, the Warriors have the highest odds at +205, followed by the Miami Heat at +250, Orlando Magic at +325, and Dallas Mavericks at +450.
How Lauri Helps the Warriors
Anyone who wants proof that Lauri would be a great addition to the Warriors should look at Quinten Post. After the deadline, when the Warriors gave him some significant minutes, Post responded with some double-digit scoring games. He ended up the season averaging eight points on 40% shooting from three. While Lauri’s efficiency has dipped this year, he is basically an All-Star version of Post.
Markkanen is 27 years old, and in two years, he can take over the team and be the bridge between the Curry era and the new era in Warriors basketball.
The Utah Jazz had the worst record last season. Yet, they failed to materialize that in a high draft pick, ending with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 draft. The fifth pick can still deliver a blue-chip player, but it seems like the Jazz will finally go into a full rebuild. Markkanen doesn’t fit their age and development anymore.
What Can the Warriors Trade for Markkanen?
Any trade between the Warriors and Jazz starts with Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Those are the contracts that the Warriors can send to match salary. Right now, Kuminga is a restricted free agent, but the Warriors can do a sign-and-trade with the Jazz.
Other than signing and trading Kuminga, they do not have a high-salary contract they can send to the Jazz. The good news is the Warriors have several picks they can trade to sweeten the deal. They have their own pick in 2026, ’27, ’28, ’29, and ’31. They also have a second-round pick in 2025, currently slotted as No. 41. The main question is whether the Jazz value Kuminga, or they think they can find a better young player than him on the market for Lauri.
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