Trade Proposal Sends Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler To Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Moses Moody To Jazz

One NBA analyst proposed that the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz make a trade with each other. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following mock trade between the Warriors and Jazz:

Trade idea: The Golden State Warriors trade Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Moses Moody, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick (via ATL), a 2028 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick (via ATL) and a 2031 first-round pick swap to the Utah Jazz for Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler

“This would nearly deplete the Dubs’ asset collection, but you could argue a player of Markkanen’s caliber is worth such a splurge,” Buckley wrote in his NBA trade piece. “He’d be the most skilled costar Stephen Curry has had since Kevin Durant skipped town, as Markkanen is a scoring 7-footer with a fiery outside shot, a plethora of post moves to punish switches and enough defensive utility to be a positive presence on both ends.

“If Golden State still wasn’t fully convinced Markkanen is worth the sacrifice of Kuminga, adding Kessler to the exchange might get a handshake done. A team that struggled with a lack of size and force around the basket could see real value in adding a 22-year-old 7-footer with an even 69.0 career field-goal percentage and per-36-minute average of 3.7 blocks.”

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 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. 

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.