Report: Jazz Want Brandin Podziemski In Lauri Markkanen Trade, Warriors More Willing To Move Jonathan Kuminga

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Utah Jazz want Brandin Podziemski from the Golden State Warriors in a Lauri Markkanen trade.

However, the Warriors are more willing to trade Jonathan Kuminga.

“There is a belief in some corners of the league that Utah’s interest in Golden State’s Brandon Podziemski, in combination with future draft compensation that the Warriors could package with the All-Rookie first team selection, is serious enough that it keeps alive the prospect of a Markkanen trade between now and Aug. 6,” Stein wrote in his latest NBA Substack column. “That, as you’ve surely heard by now, is the first day Markkanen is eligible to renegotiate-and-extend his contract with the Jazz at a much higher number than his $18 million expiring salary for 2024-25.

“Yet there is also a growing belief leaguewide that the Warriors would be more willing to move Jonathan Kuminga in a Markkanen trade — or any big-swing deal — than Podziemski. To this point, however, it must be noted that Golden State’s offers for Markkanen have centered around a package featuring Moses Moody and draft compensation without including Podziemski or Kuminga.”

Markkanen becomes extension eligible on August 6. He’s on an expiring $18 million contract and due for a large long-term raise.

The Warriors and San Antonio Spurs remain in pursuit of Markkanen, sources told Hoops Wire. 

Markkanen is one of the top 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. 

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. 

The Warriors and Jazz missed the playoffs in 2024. 

Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks this past season for the Warriors, while Kuminga put up 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.