Report: Warriors ‘Didn’t Try That Hard’ To Acquire Lauri Markkanen From Jazz

According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors “didn’t try that hard” to acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. 

The Warriors never offered Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga to the Jazz for Markkanen, who signed a five-year, $238 million deal with Utah. 

“They didn’t try that hard though,” MacMahon said on the Hoop Collective podcast. “They had discussions, but Podziemski was completely off the table.”

The Warriors and Jazz missed the playoffs in 2024.

Golden State lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks in free agency and added Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton.

Markkanen is one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line in 55 games. 

An Arizona product, Markkanen has career averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with Utah.

According to NBA insider Kendra Andrews of ESPN, the Warriors thought the Jazz’s asking price for Markkanen was a “bad deal.”

“Sources told ESPN that trade talks with Utah over Markkanen diminished in the wake of the Jazz asking for second-year guard and All-Rookie Brandin Podziemski in a potential deal, as well as multiple draft picks,” Andrews reported. “Golden State has only two available unprotected firsts (a combination of 2025 and 2027, or 2026 and 2028) and a 2030 first if it falls in the top 20.

“The Warriors are holding high value in their younger pieces, sources told ESPN, including Podziemski and fourth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga. Any trade incorporating either player would have to help with the long-term success of the team more than they would, sources added. Golden State intends to hold onto those players ‘very tightly,’ and anything to loosen the grip on them would have to be an ‘overwhelming offer.’

“Sources also told ESPN that what the Jazz were asking for in return for Markkanen made it a ‘bad deal’ for the Warriors, and the talks stalled.”