Report: Spurs, Warriors Have Contacted Jazz About Lauri Markkanen Within Past Week

July 9, 2024

The trade rumors surrounding Lauri Markkanen just won’t go away. On one hand, that’s a good thing. It shows that the Utah Jazz have an NBA player many others covet.

But on the other hand, assuming Markkanen doesn’t get moved, the Jazz may have to do some reassuring once the season begins. And truth is, it doesn’t seem like they want to trade him. They may, however, be open to it.

They are also said to at least be willing to listen. Lately, they have taken calls on Markkanen from the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs — two teams whose salary structure would make it fairly easy for them to slide Markkanen into their cap space.

All of this is per Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

“That leaves the Warriors and Spurs as two very real suitors for Markkanen, sources said, that have been in contact with the Jazz multiple times within the past week,” Seigel wrote. “After failing to pull off a trade for Paul George and after losing Klay Thompson in free agency, the Warriors have remained steadfast in their pursuit of championship-level talent around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. All options are on the table for Golden State, yet it is unknown if they have offered their best young talent, Jonathan Kuminga, for Markkanen despite holding him out of trade conversations for George.”

Meanwhile, the Spurs may look to make one big splash after adding veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to Victor Wembanyama already this offseason.

“Paul and Barnes are two fantastic mentors for the Spurs to have as they enter the Victor Wembanyama era,” Siegel wrote. “Markkanen is a player the Spurs would be interested in giving a long-term contract to, sources said, and his fit next to Wembanyama as another 7-footer would be impossible to stop. Keldon Johnson has been made available in trade talks dating back to the trade deadline, sources said, yet the Spurs have kept Devin Vassell‘s name out of all discussions to this point.”

That said, one league source told Hoops Wire that he would be “surprised” if the Jazz actually moved on from Markkanen, as he’s become the type of player around whom you build.