Lauri Markkanen’s Trade Prospects: Three Possible Destinations
Can the Warriors land Lauri Markkanen from the Jazz, or will another team swoop in? During the NBA offseason, some teams are looking to add star power to their roster, with Lauri Markkanen being a popular option for the Golden State Warriors. As a big man who excels as a wing, Markkanen is an ideal fit for many teams, especially the Warriors. However, Golden State might face competition in acquiring him.
The Utah Jazz, under Danny Ainge, have set a high asking price for Markkanen. Since Markkanen was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Jazz value him highly. Markkanen has blossomed into an All-Star in Utah, and NBA insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst discussed the challenges teams face in meeting Utah’s demands.
“You mentioned there’s a lack of offers that meet what the Jazz want,” said Bontempts on The Hoop Collective. “We saw Mikal Bridges, a non-All-Star, go for five first-round picks. The Jazz have made multiple trades for significant picks in the past for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. There’s just not a lot of picks left, and not many teams have picks available in places that make sense for a player like Lauri Markkanen.”
“Well, there’s one,” replied Windhorst.
“There’s two,” added McMahon. “Are we saying Golden State and Houston? Well, [there are] three if you count Houston. Oklahoma City can always be included in these conversations. However, they made two big moves without giving up a first-round pick this summer. But it’s also not their usual approach to do that.”
Could Lauri Markkanen find a new home? The Warriors have been rumored to be interested in Markkanen this offseason, aiming to extend their championship window around Stephen Curry. Adding Markkanen would not only bolster their current roster but also ensure a smooth transition to their young talents like Brandin Podziemski in the future. However, negotiations between Utah and Golden State have encountered several hurdles, leaving the outcome uncertain.
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