If the Utah Jazz actually have serious interest in trading Lauri Markkanen this offseason, the Golden State Warriors have been the most engaged interested team, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Warriors and Jazz have discussed a proposal centered around Moses Moody, multiple first round picks, pick swaps and multiple second round picks. The Jazz, however, have requested that type of package along with Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. The Warriors have maintained that a package including all three players is a non-starter.
Markkanen maintains considerable leverage in the situation as he is scheduled to be a free agent in 2025 and would be unable to extend with any team that trades for him. The Jazz have the ability to use their cap space to do a renegotiate-and-extend agreement to bring his salary up to $33.1 million and build his new contract from there. Markkanen would have to give an assurance to a team trading for him that he has interest in signing a new contract in free agency. Markkanen could extend with the Jazz on August 6th and become trade eligible on the day of the 2025 NBA trade deadline.
Markkanen, who is represented by Michael Lelchitski, averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 39.9 percent on three-pointers in 55 games last season for the Jazz. Markkanen was an All-Star in 22-23 and also was the Most Improved Player.
