The Utah Jazz and CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge are looking at Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski as a possible trade target for All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday night.
“i don't think so [the Jazz] “I'd love to move Lauri Markkanen,” Charania told hosts Rob Perez and Amin El Hassan during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, “but if the Golden State Warriors take Brandin Podziemski and, from what I've heard, throw in three first-round picks, three or four unprotected pick swaps, three or four second-round picks…”
At that point, one of the hosts mentioned breakout wing Jonathan Kuminga's name as a possible candidate for trade talks.
“Kuminga's name is there, but from what I've heard, I think the Jazz are more focused on Brandin Podziemski and his inclusion in the deal,” Charania said. “The deal includes all the picks. From the Warriors' perspective, it's Podziemski, but it doesn't include all the picks. If it included all the picks, it wouldn't include Podziemski.”
Charania's latest report came about 12 hours after a report citing league sources said the amount the Jazz are asking for Markkanen (which includes Podziemski, Kuminga, guard Moses Moody and draft capital) is “meaningless” to the Warriors.
The Warriors have reportedly been trying to acquire Markkanen, the NBA's 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year since July 1, but negotiations with the Jazz appear to have stalled.
“So this could go back and forth, but both sides are sticking with the status quo for now and saying nothing's going to change,” Charania said. “So, time will tell, but I think the Jazz are very happy with the contract extension they signed with Lauri Markkanen.”
Markkanen, 27, becomes eligible for a contract extension on Aug. 6.
The Warriors believe so much in the potential of Podziemski and Kuminga that it's understandable they would be adamant about not including them in a trade for Markkanen.
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