Report: Jazz unlikely to trade Markkanen amid Warriors buzz originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
The Lauri Markkanen trade draw has taken a new twist — and it favors neither the Warriors nor the Kings.
Golden State and Sacramento have been at the center of trade speculation regarding the Jazz forward, with reports characterizing the Warriors as the “aggressors” within the teams after the services of the 27-year-old.
Utah, however, is “going about its business with a “10 percent chance of moving him,” Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported Wednesday. (h/t Bleacher Report)
There are many reasons why the Jazz remain hesitant to lose Markkanen and why the Warriors, Kings and San Antonio Spurs have all expressed interest in the Finnish star.
An NBA All-Star and World Cup winner 2023 Most Improved Player AwardMarkkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and a commendable 39.9 percent mark from 3-point range in 55 games for Utah during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Fischer added that the Kings, who, like the Warriors, appear to be in search of a difference-making forward this offseason, recently came close to securing a trade for Markkanen.
“The Kings, to my knowledge, earlier this week were close to a deal,” Fischer said on Wednesday’s episode of the “No Cap Room” podcast. “I think so, based on the conversations I’ve had. I can’t say more than that, but there were calls made to people at the NBA that would have indicated that the negotiations were legitimate there.”
Golden State didn’t remain stagnant while working on a deal for Markkanen, reportedly acquiring proven shooter Buddy Hield in a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 31-year-old will add scoring ability, but the Warriors are likely to continue looking for pieces to complement superstar point guard Stephen Curry following Klay Thompson’s departure.
It might be difficult to add Markkanen to coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, but then again, the offseason is young and it’s unwise to count out the Warriors.
