Without even factoring in how loaded the Western Conference is around the NBA, it’s safe to say that the Golden State Warriors could use a ton of help on both sides of the basketball. Frankly, the Warriors aren’t exactly in a great spot, and unless the front office has a plan to pair Stephen Curry and Draymond Green with a bit more talent, it’s tough to see a scenario where they have an opportunity to win a championship next season.Â
Warriors Acquire a Shooting Big-Man in Trade Idea
Now, with the Golden State Warriors not exactly in the best spot, the front office could look to take a chance and make a blockbuster trade. However, unfortunately, it isn’t like the Warriors are in the best position to make a trade, either. The Warriors have some assets and could move Jonathan Kuminga in a sign-and-trade, but outside of that, there isnât too much to work with.
Looking for ways to improve that, Last Word on Sports recently proposed the idea of them trading for Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz.Â
Markkanen, a big forward who can play the five when needed, is one of the better big man 3-point shooters in the NBA and has proven to be an above-average defender.Â
âUntil the Jazz come out and say they are not trading Lauri Markkanen, or he ends up on another team, the Warriors will be a contender for his services. While his stats might be down the last two seasons, Lauri needs a good passer to shine. He hasnât had one in Utah. Markkanen is not a self-creator, but still a good scorer.
âWeâve seen how the Warriors can utilize shooting and scoring big men. Last season, their rookie Quinten Post showed great potential as a stretch big after he got some playing time. The challenge is, the Jazz probably would not like to get Kuminga, and the only viable way for the Warriors to get a star via trade is if they send Jonathan the other way. Will they up their offer of draft picks to get Lauri? He is definitely a player who can move the needle,â they wrote.
Will Utah Make Markkanen Available?
The only issue the Golden State Warriors might face when attempting to trade for a player like Markkanen is that many don’t believe the Utah Jazz will make him available.Â
According to a recent report from NBA Insider of the Salt Lake Tribune, Andy Larsen, prior to the draft, didn’t expect Markkanen to be available.Â
Perhaps things could change, as thatâs happened many times before in the NBA, but it seems that Utah is committed to putting together a competent roster in the near future, and Markkanen should be a part of that.Â
“I would say more likely than not that he’s here,” Larsen said during his appearance on Locked on Jazz. “I think ultimately, the team will still look at it as, ‘We don’t need to trade Lauri Markkanen now,’ and the offers have not, to this point, have been as good as they would like. So, I think, ultimately, it makes sense just to keep him. He remains a very good player who likes to play in Utah. All the reasons you gave him the contract still remain.”
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