The Warriors star search may indeed be back at square one.
It’s no secret that the Golden State Warriors have been trying to add another star to their roster this offseason. For the past few weeks, rumors have swirled around Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. Jazz top exec Danny Ainge has been known to architect many a rebuild, and Markkanen is eligible for a sizable extension next week. Markkanen is a dynamic shooter whose scoring prowess would be a significant upgrade for the Warriors. However, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Markkanen seems content remaining in Utah.
“Lauri has really taken to Utah,” Jones said during a radio appearance on ESPN 700 in Salt Lake City. “His family has taken to Utah. Obviously the Jazz can trade him between now and August 6th, and Lauri knows that, but Lauri has forged a really close relationship with Will Hardy. And Will Hardy has really found a way to unlock his career in a manner that hasn’t been accomplished before. Lauri really recognizes that, understands that, and appreciates that. He wants to be a part of the rebuild.”
Markkanen has always a dynamic stretch big, but he began reaching another level once he was acquired by the Jazz two offseasons ago. Markkanen won the Most Improved Player award in the 2022-23 season, averaging 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game alongside receiving the first All-Star selection of his career. He averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this past year, maintaining his highly-efficient shooting numbers.
With two talented draft classes on the horizon, however, there has been growing speculation that the Jazz would consider parting with Markkanen this offseason in an effort to fully tank. That could still be Ainge’s ultimate goal, but given Utah’s struggles to attract prominent players in free agency, it seems unlikely that they would move on from such a talented player.
“I would expect him to sign on August 7th, or after August 6th,” Jones added.“Lauri doesn’t want to be traded, so if he signs the renegotiation and extension, which I expect him to do, I expect him to do it after August 6th so there’s no trade talk this year.”
If Markkanen does sign an extension in Utah, effectively taking him off the trade market, then the Warriors will be back at square one in their search for a scorer to replace Klay Thompson. Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine remains available and could be a buy-low fallback option for the Dubs, but that would require taking on a massive contract for a player with a long injury history. Outside of that, the current options are few and far between.
