All good things come to an end. That includes NBA dynasties. The Golden State Warriors may be facing that realization soon. This team has been on a dynastic run, but it feels like it’s coming to an end.
Think about it. Steph Curry is aging. He could have two or three seasons of peak production left, but even that is a limited window. Meanwhile, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are aging as well, and they’re not likely to age as gracefully. It is entirely possible that the Warriors have won their last championship for the foreseeable future.
It isn’t definite. The Warriors could have another run in them. With that said a major win-now trade would certainly help them make that run. Could they make a move for Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz?
The Trade Proposal
Utah Jazz Receive: G Chris Paul, F Jonathan Kuminga, 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – GSW)
Golden State Warriors Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
With that said, the Warriors shouldn’t complain. They’ve been tremendously fortunate in recent years. The Warriors have won several NBA championships. Some teams in the NBA have never even won one. For example, the Utah Jazz have zero NBA titles in their franchise history.
Pathetic, right? Not really. The Jazz have brought in plenty of talent. This organization’s history is littered with historic talent. Adrian Dantley. Mark Eaton. John Stockton. Karl Malone. Deron Williams. Donovan Mitchell. Rudy Gobert. The Jazz have put together a lot of high-quality teams, but they’ve never gotten over the hump.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Golden State Warriors & Utah Jazz Updates
Currently, the Jazz aren’t in any position to get over it any time soon, either. This team is deep and talented, but they aren’t title contenders. The Jazz are at an impasse – they could focus on either the present or the future. Should they make this future-focused move?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
In all likelihood, the Jazz won’t trade Markkanen. They’re more likely to look to build around him. We happen to think they should consider a different course of action. Markkanen is excellent – is he good enough to build an NBA champion around? That’s a high bar, and Markkanen is not likely to clear it.
Jonathan Kuminga might. Even if he doesn’t, he’s got ample potential. Kuminga could be the type of two-way wing that dominates the NBA. The Warriors have struggled to find an appropriate role for him, but the Jazz could truly unleash him. If this team is rebuilding, Kuminga would be a sensible addition.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Golden State Warriors & Utah Jazz Updates
Could the Jazz get more draft capital for Markkanen? Yes – but not along with a high-upside prospect like Kuminga. If they want to turn to the future, this is as good of a deal as they’ll find for him. Should the Warriors cut ties with Kuminga already?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
The Jazz may not be close to an NBA title. The Warriors are only two years removed from winning one. This team knows that they’re close. Here, they’re acquiring the best player in the deal to get a little closer.
It’s not hard to picture Markkanen in Golden State, either. His ability to space the floor will work nicely in this offense. Meanwhile, Markkanen can create his own shot in a number of different ways. Containing him while he’s sharing the floor with Steph Curry should prove impossible. The Warriors should have one of the best offenses in the NBA following this deal.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Golden State Warriors & Utah Jazz Updates
That doesn’t make it a no-brainer. Paul is on an expiring deal, whereas Markkanen is on a lucrative extension. Sure. The Warriors can sort that out later. If need be, they can make trades next summer. They might as well see if they’ve got one more championship run in them first.
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