Winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award is quite an accomplishment. Did you improve more than any player in the NBA? That’s impressive. With that said, we shouldn’t make the mistake of assuming that the league’s Most Improved Player will continue to improve.
Sometimes, the winner of that award has just completed the best season they’ll ever have. Of course you hope for further improvement, but you don’t want to bank on it.
Lauri Markkanen was this season’s Most Improved Player. Will he continue to improve? We don’t know. With that said, if the Utah Jazz wanted to trade him, they’d be selling high. Could they send him to the Golden State Warriors?
The Trade Proposal
Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Gary Payton III, F Jonathan Kuminga, G/F Moses Moody, 2026 First-Round PIck (GSW), 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – GSW)
Golden State Warriors Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
How does a player improve? Often, they get a new opportunity. If you haven’t noticed, there’s a lot of talent in the NBA. In some respects, there’s too much. All around the league, there are quality players who could be contributing more than they currently do.
Look at Markkanen. No team had ever featured him on offense like the Jazz did last season. It’s entirely possible that he always had the ability to perform as he did in 2022-23.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Golden State Warriors & Utah Jazz Updates
Now, look at Jonathan Kuminga. He’s been starved for opportunities during his first two years in the NBA. A raw prospect like Kuminga is struggling to find minutes on a contending team like the Warriors. Should the Jazz give him a chance?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
This might not be an easy call for the Jazz to make. They just watched Markkanen have a breakout season. Meanwhile, he’s still young enough to be part of their future. Sure. On the other hand, Markkanen was the best player on a team that didn’t even qualify for the play-in tournament. In some respects, the Jazz appears to be stuck in the middle.
This deal has them closer to the bottom of the league. On the other hand, it’s got them bringing in some much younger talent. Kuminga has superstar potential, and Moses Moody should do better with a bigger opportunity as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Golden State Warriors & Utah Jazz Updates
Meanwhile, the Jazz add an unprotected first-round pick and a swap here as well. They’ll be adding those picks to one of the most impressive collections of draft capital in the NBA. Utah could use those picks to trade for a star once they’re more competitive. Should the Warriors put them in that situation?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
Meanwhile, the Warriors have a number of conflicting priorities. They’ll make this deal depending on what they’re prioritizing. Are the Warriors too concerned with their salary cap to make this move? That’s fair. On the other hand, if they’re thinking about competing for a title next year, this is a no-brainer.
As constructed, the Warriors aren’t likely to do that. This team fought hard to advance to the second round last season. Meanwhile, they’re getting older, and they haven’t made improvements to their roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Golden State Warriors & Utah Jazz Updates
Markkanen would be a huge upgrade. The Warriors could use him as a stretch big and it would be a significant boon to their offense. If all goes well, this deal should put them in the title picture again next season. Even if Markkanen doesn’t improve one bit.
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