Joe Lacob: Warriors Don’t Want to Trade Podziemski, Kuminga amid Markkanen Rumors

Adam WellsJuly 27, 2024

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

If the Golden State Warriors are going to trade for Lauri Markkanen, they won’t necessarily be eager to give up Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga.

Warriors governor Joe Lacob told The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami they “don’t want to give up on” either player after they emerged as key pieces for the team last season.

Markkanen has been a popular trade candidate for some time, even though there’s no indication the Utah Jazz are looking to move him.

On the latest episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast (starts at 34:20 mark), ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said the Jazz don’t appear to be actively shopping Markkanen and they’d only trade him if they got an offer they couldn’t refuse.

Depending on what the Jazz are thinking about their long-term plans, Markkanen could be one of the most sought-after trade candidates during the 2024-25 season. He is playing on an $18 million expiring contract, though he’s eligible to sign an extension starting on Aug. 6.

That date becomes important because if Markkanen signs an extension on Aug. 7 or later, he would become ineligible to be traded until next offseason. League rules mandate a six-month waiting period after a new deal is signed. The trade deadline next season is Feb. 6.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported earlier this week that Kuminga would be the player Golden State would most likely include “in a Markkanen trade—or any big-swing deal” rather than Podziemski.

Stein did note the Warriors’ offers for Markkanen thus far have been built around Moses Moody and draft compensation, with neither Podziemski nor Kuminga being offered.

Kuminga is in an interesting spot because he’s eligible to sign an extension coming off the best season of his career. The 21-year-old could sign a deal worth up to $224 million over five years. He averaged career-highs in scoring (16.1 points), field-goal percentage (52.9) and rebounding (4.8) in 74 games last season.

Podziemski, the No. 19 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, became a vital rotation player for head coach Steve Kerr as a rookie. He averaged 9.2 points on 38.5 percent three-point shooting and 5.8 rebounds per game in 74 appearances.