The Golden State Warriors have encountered a significant setback in their pursuit of Lauri Markkanen, the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year from the Utah Jazz.
According to multiple reports, Markkanen will not sign an extension with the Jazz on Tuesday, August 6, keeping him off the trade market until after next season. Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported on August 5 that Markkanen is likely delaying “his signature for that exact purpose.” This information aligns with an earlier report by The Athletic’s Jazz beat reporter Tony Jones.
“According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, it’s unlikely that Markkanen will sign the new deal by Tuesday, which makes sense. The 27-year-old Markkanen knows he’s going to get major money either now or next summer. By not signing this week, Markkanen essentially gains a bit of control over his future,” The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami wrote.
Markkanen signing an extension with the Jazz after August 6 is a worst-case scenario for the Warriors, as their limited cap space would prevent them from pursuing him in free agency. It would also eliminate Markkanen’s Bird Rights, which the Warriors desire to sign him to a max extension next summer without using cap space.
What’s Keeping the Warriors From Landing Lauri Markkanen?
Substack’s NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Warriors are unwilling to trade two of their best young players, Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga, along with significant draft compensation, for Markkanen. “Golden State, to date, has pursued Markkanen without including Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga in trade packages laden with future draft compensation,” Stein wrote on August 4.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on July 15 that the Warriors have offered Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, multiple pick swaps, and multiple second-round picks. However, the Jazz prefer Podziemski over Kuminga in a Markkanen trade, along with all the Warriors’ draft capital, Charania added during his guest appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
The Warriors have set boundaries, preferring to keep both young players or include Podziemski but not all their draft capital. The Jazz covet Podziemski, who is on a cost-controlled contract and just came off an All-Rookie First Team season, over Kuminga, who is about to become expensive with his rookie extension.
The Warriors have two available unprotected first-round picks (2025 and 2027 or 2026 and 2028), another in 2030 (if it falls in the top 20; otherwise, it goes to the Washington Wizards), three unprotected pick swaps, and five second-round picks in the next six drafts.
Joe Lacob Values Brandin Podziemski as a Future All-Star
The Warriors hold Podziemski in high regard, as evidenced by team owner Joe Lacob’s praise for the 21-year-old guard. “Oh my God! He was a revelation to be quite honest,” Lacob said during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “I mean, he is one of the all-rookie team top five in the league. He started a bunch of games for us. Steve [Kerr] had trouble getting him off the floor.”
Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 38.5% from the three-point line. He started in 28 games, averaging 9.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. “He’s so good,” Lacob added. “He does so many things well. He’s ultra-confident, has an NBA body, and can get wherever he wants. He obviously can shoot threes, drive, and pass. I mean, what can’t he do? We’re really excited. We think we’ve got a future All-Star. We really do.”
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