The NBA world is lastly beginning to decelerate after one other busy season and summer season, however the league by no means totally goes to sleep. There are nonetheless some commerce rumors floating round, and Utah Jazz huge man Lauri Markkanen is among the many largest names who might get moved previous to subsequent season.
One among Markkanen’s recognized suitors is the Golden State Warriors, however in accordance with veteran reporter Marc Stein, the 2 sides are on totally different pages in commerce talks. The Jazz are interested by Brandin Podziemski, whereas the Warriors’ gives have centered round Moses Moody. Notably, Stein mentioned that the Warriors could be extra prepared to deal Jonathan Kuminga than Podziemski.
This is Stein:
There’s a perception in some corners of the league that Utah’s curiosity in Golden State’s Brandon Podziemski, together with future draft compensation that the Warriors might package deal with the All-Rookie first crew choice, is critical sufficient that it retains alive the prospect of a Markkanen commerce between now and Aug. 6. That, as you have certainly heard by now, is the primary day Markkanen is eligible to renegotiate-and-extend his contract with the Jazz at a a lot increased quantity than his $18 million expiring wage for 2024-25.
But there may be additionally a rising perception leaguewide that the Warriors could be extra prepared to maneuver Jonathan Kuminga in a Markkanen commerce — or any big-swing deal — than Podziemski. So far, nonetheless, it should be famous that Golden State’s gives for Markkanen have centered round a package deal that includes Moses Moody and draft compensation with out together with Podziemski or Kuminga.
Podziemski is coming off a formidable rookie season wherein he averaged 9.2 factors, 5.8 rebounds and three.7 assists, and shot 38.5% from 3-point land. He not solely broke into the Warriors’ rotation — a formidable feat for a rookie underneath head coach Steve Kerr — however appeared to have moved forward of the crew’s most promising younger gamers, Kuminga and Moody.
This is what Kerr needed to say late final season:
“I do not care if he scores or not. He’s in each considered one of our greatest lineups. He’s our greatest plus-minus man (plus-3.8) for the 12 months. He’s actually good, regardless of whether or not he’s scoring or not. I do know, particularly as a rookie, that he’ll have ups and downs from a scoring standpoint, and proper now, he’s in a down interval. However he permits different guys to play nicely simply due to his recognition of what’s taking place on the ground, his cuts, ball motion, spacing. I am thrilled with Brandin, and so long as he retains enjoying as exhausting as he’s, he’ll be on the market.”
Podziemski’s capturing, versatility and really feel for the sport clarify why the Warriors need to preserve him and the Jazz need to get him. Will probably be fascinating to see which aspect blinks in the event that they ultimately comply with a swap that sends Markkanen to the Bay Space.
After letting Klay Thompson stroll this summer season, the Warriors are keen so as to add expertise round Steph Curry and Draymond Inexperienced to maintain their title window cracked open. Markkanen has blossomed into an All-Star caliber participant and averaged 23.2 factors and eight.2 rebounds final season on 39.9% capturing from behind the arc. There is not any doubt he would match round Curry, however how a lot of their future they’d be prepared to mortgage to get him is one thing the Warriors are seemingly nonetheless debating.
The Jazz, in the meantime, are clearly concentrating on the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft in the event that they’re this intent on shifting Markkanen. They’re 55-67 with him within the lineup over the previous two seasons, and at that tempo they’re simply adequate to overlook out on a top-three-to-five choose and simply unhealthy sufficient to overlook the Play-In Match. Danny Ainge would reasonably add additional belongings and tank — probably for Cooper Flagg — than spend one other season in no-man’s land.
