Report: Warriors Thought Jazz’s Asking Price For Lauri Markkanen Was ‘Bad Deal’

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

The Jazz, who had a high asking price for Markkanen, signed the All-Star to a five-year, $238 million deal today. 

“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.”

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.

The Warriors and Jazz missed the playoffs in 2024.

Markkanen, 27, never wanted to get traded by Utah. 

“They’ve all showed their belief in me, from the ownership to the front office to Will,” Markkanen told ESPN. “It’s a comfortable environment and those guys’ resumes speak for themselves. I trust in the organization to help grow me as a person and a player, to build our team and I’m ready to take on the challenge.”