The Warriors, Kings and San Antonio Spurs are all reportedly interested in the trade for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.
The three NBA teams all have “significant offers on the table” for the coveted forward, The Athletic’s Tony Jones told Kyle Draper and Kevin Gleason during an interview with Sactown Sports 1140 on Wednesday.
An offer for Markkanen would certainly have to be substantial, as Utah would likely be reluctant to part with the 2023 NBA All-Star and Most Improved Player.
In 55 games for Utah during the 2023-24 NBA season, Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and a very impressive 39.9 percent from the 3-point line.
While multiple teams are reportedly vying to deal Utah for Markkanen, the Warriors are the “aggressive” of the teams currently discussing a Markkanen trade with the Jazz, TNT’s Chris Haynes reported Tuesday on Bleacher Report.
Both the Warriors and Kings have also been linked to New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram as the teams appear to explore the forward market. In NBA free agency thus far, Golden State has agreed to sign guard De’Anthony Melton, forward Kyle Anderson and is reportedly in “serious talks” to sign sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield in a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers — all, of course, after losing franchise icon Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks.
In Sacramento, GM Monte McNair landed top prospect Devin Carter in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft and re-signed sixth man Malik Monk. He also traded Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov and the Kings’ second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Jalen McDaniels.
After the Warriors and Kings missed the NBA playoffs last season, both teams appear determined to break through, even if the cost is significant.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
