NBA rumors: Warriors’ Lauri Markkanen trade offer gets complicated update
The Golden State Warriors suffered a blow this offseason when they lost Klay Thompson in free agency. They’ve tried to recoup as much as they can with a few solid free agent signings. But perhaps the biggest trade domino the Warriors are trying to get to fall is Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.
Markkanen may or may not be on the trade block, but the reportedly hasn’t stopped the Warriors from inquiring. But what might hinder a potential Lauri Markkanen trade between the Warriors and Jazz is the limitations of the Warriors potential offer as per Tony Jones of The Athletic.
Jones reports that, “Golden State has an offer on the table and it’s substantial [for Lauri Markkanen]. I think offers are heavily pick-based…What complicates it is the Warriors only have two unprotected picks, plus a protected first rounder.”
Markkanen is one of the top rising stars in the NBA and it’s fair to question whether that combination of picks is enough for the Warriors to entice the Jazz into making a trade. The recent trade between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets involving Mikal Bridges included four unprotected first round picks heading the Nets’ way. Markkanen is arguably a better player than Bridges.
