Warriors' Longtime Trade Target Could Come at Draft Price

Golden State’s renewed interest in Lauri Markkanen could reappear as the NBA trade deadline approaches in February, with the Warriors potentially able to make a salary-driven move. The report revisits an earlier push: in the prior offseason the Warriors reportedly made aggressive offers to Utah, including multiple draft picks and wing Moses Moody, while Utah eventually ended talks by signing Markkanen to an extension in early August. This time, Markkanen still has three years and $150 million remaining, and Utah’s slower start and rebuilding direction could lead to a “fire sale,” per an executive cited. The proposed path would involve moving Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis to free more than $40 million, then pairing Markkanen’s offense with Stephen Curry and others, though questions remain about cost and fit defensively.