The Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz may be the most likely partners in a Lauri Markkanen trade. Although the San Antonio Spurs’ could send the Jazz a package that might excite the draft pick-hoarding Danny Ainge, the Warriors appear more driven to actually complete the transaction.
Jazz May Land Jonathan Kuminga In Lauri Markkanen Trade
As Markkanen’s on the final year of his contract and waiting for an extension, San Antonio could be wary of a potential overpay. To that point, the Spurs are known to be a frugal franchise. Yet, they’re also smack dab in the middle of a rebuild. They would undoubtedly be competitive with Markkanen joining a core headlined by Victor Wembanyama, but they still appear to be two or three years away from being a playoff team.
By that time, Markkanen will be 30 years old, or close to it.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are arguably just one major trade away from being back in the NBA Finals. Four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry hasn’t missed a step. Draymond Green remains one of the best defenders and playmakers in the NBA. Though they lost a key piece in Klay Thompson, they brought in another all-time great shooter in Buddy Hield.
With 2021 No. 7 pick Jonathan Kuminga breaking out last season, they may not even need to make a splash move. That’s especially true if Andrew Wiggins can bounce back from his mediocre 2023-24 campaign. Nonetheless, ifs are for hypotheticals, not guarantees. In order to secure their status as a championship contender, they do need to add a special player.
The problem with trading for Markkanen is that the Jazz want Brandin Podziemski more than Kuminga. “Yet there is also a growing belief leaguewide that the Warriors would be more willing to move (Kuminga) in a Markkanen trade — or any big-swing deal — than Podziemski,” reports The Stein Line’s eponymous Marc Stein. As a result, Utah could have to relent or hold out for Podziemski.
The Warriors’ Dilemma
As it stands now, the Jazz have more leverage than the Warriors. Golden State is the team in a time crunch, hoping to squeeze another championship out of their golden goose. Furthermore, Markkanen is better than both Kuminga and Podziemski at this stage of his career. With the notoriously patient Ainge at the helm, trade talks could last through the trade deadline.
This is a worst case scenario for the Warriors though, as teams who are eyeing a playoff push could enter talks for the Finnish forward.
Ultimately, it may be wise for Golden State to give up Podziemski. It isn’t easy to find efficient and effective do-it-all wings, but it’s much more difficult to find seven-footers with Markkanen’s touch. Because of his size, he may even be able to start alongside Green and Kuminga in the frontcourt.
Yet, neither Green, Kuminga, nor Andrew Wiggins are particularly efficient 3-point threats. Swapping Markkanen and Kuminga is a simple solution.
Kuminga or Podziemski?
The question is whether Golden State can convince the Jazz that Kuminga would work better in Utah than Podziemski. This shouldn’t be too difficult; the Jazz already have several guards jostling for minutes. Meanwhile, after they trade Markkanen, they’ll have a major hole in the frontcourt. Indeed, Utah does have multiple big men competing for minutes, but they’re closer to centers.
Nonetheless, the Jazz might just see more value in Podziemski’s skillset. He’s the better on-ball defender, passer, and 3-point threat. With Jazz head coach Will Hardy’s preferring players to have a multifaceted impact, he’ll be beloved by the coaching staff.
However, Kuminga shot 44 percent from 3 after the 2023 All-Star Break. He averaged nearly 3 assists per game after the 2024 All-Star Break. With that being said, bruising opponents on the way to the basket isn’t all he can do. Furthermore, though he’s been inconsistent, Kuminga’s made a number of stellar defensive plays throughout his career.
