The Warriors were very interested in Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen over the summer and are reportedly willing to make a big move to sign him.
Pairing a talented forward like Markkanen with Steph Curry could prove a winning combination for Golden State, with the team eager to increase Steph’s championship window by pairing him with another NBA star.
However, the trade didn’t go through and the Finnish native signed a $238 million extension to stay in Salt Lake City in August.
Markkanen recently discussed the Warriors’ interest in him publicly for the first time.
“I think [it means] he did things right – that teams want him,” said Markkanen to Marc Stein. “… I was able to separate it and actually waited for my agent. …Obviously, I wasn’t a free agent, but it was more than having the ability to make a contract and I had a choice. I don’t have to do it but that was something I wanted to do to stay with the team.”
Other teams, such as the Spurs and Rockets, also showed interest in the All-Star, but the Dubs seemed to have the best offer – which was Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, multiple pick swaps and multiple second-round picks, Shams Charania reported at the time.
But, problems arose because the Jazz were more interested in Brandin Podziemski instead of Moody, who stopped the negotiations, said Shams.
Golden State drew a hard line there and opted to try to keep Podziemski. The team was considering bringing him in, but not with all the money listed above.
The Jazz clearly didn’t budge on their terms and the deal fell through.
Golden State made it clear over the summer that Podziemski is an asset to the team going forward, as they believe he has All-Star potential.
His name has been mentioned frequently in rumors and trade proposals, but the second-year guard has been assured that he will stay.
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