A blockbuster trade proposal sends Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to the Jazz and Lauri Markkanen to the Warriors.
One NBA commentator advocated that the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors make a massive transaction this offseason.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report offered the following deal between the Jazz and Warriors:
The Golden State Warriors traded Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2028 first-round selection to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Lauri Markkanen
The Warriors and Jazz both missed the playoffs in 2024.
The Sacramento Kings defeated Golden State 9-10 in the play-in tournament, while Utah failed to qualify.
“The Warriors need to find a co-star for Stephen Curry,” Buckley stated in his NBA essay. “Fast. That is why Kuminga is ‘very much’ untouchable, but not entirely off-limits. If Golden State has to let him go to land an elite, he may be on the next aircraft out of town.
“Markkanen is that kind of talent. And, while he’d virtually eliminate Golden State’s asset collection—pick swaps may be required to accomplish this—it could be worthwhile to give Curry another opportunity at the championship. An offense featuring those two, with Draymond Green connecting the dots, appears impossible to stop. Furthermore, Markkanen, 27, is still young enough to help lay the groundwork for the franchise’s post-Curry era.
The Warriors would have to go through financial hoops to make this work with the collective bargaining agreement, but given their professed goal to decrease costs, that shouldn’t be a major issue.
Markkanen is one of the NBA’s best players. In 2023-24, he averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc, and 89.9% at the free throw line.
Markkanen, a one-time All-Star, will earn $18 million next season in the final year of his contract.
Buckley stated, “Jazz fans will hate this, as they probably will with anything that sends the skilled 7-footer out of Salt Lake City.” “That is OK. The front office has spent the previous two deadlines.
