According to NBA insiders Bobby Marks and Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors never got “close” to acquiring Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz’s asking price for Markkanen was high and they had no intention to compromise.
To trade for Markkanen, a team would have had to make an offer the Jazz couldn’t refuse.
“The Warriors have been the most aggressive suitor for Markkanen, but Utah and Golden State have not come close to getting a deal done,” Marks and MacMahon wrote. “One source told ESPN the Warriors have been ‘very protective’ of second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, the player on Golden State’s roster who most intrigues the Jazz. Golden State has also not indicated an inclination to meet the Jazz’s high threshold for draft compensation in return.
“The Warriors are operating from a position of vulnerability when it comes to draft capital and how much salary they can receive. Golden State has 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. And because of the De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield signings this summer, Golden State is not allowed to take back more than $533K in salary.”
All signs point toward Markkanen signing an extension with Utah after August 6 so he can’t be traded during the 2024-25 season.
The Jazz will likely use salary-cap space to give Markkanen a significant raise while signing him to a contract extension.
One of the most versatile players in the NBA, Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Jazz while shooting 48.0% from the floor, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line in 55 games.
A one-time All-Star, 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.
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