The Golden State Warriors had ambitious plans this offseason to acquire both Paul George and Lauri Markkanen, forming a “Big 4” alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. However, as Draymond Green recently revealed, the potential deals were ultimately thwarted by the Clippers and Jazz, with both teams playing hardball in trade negotiations.
“The conversation was always about that possibility. You get both of those guys, you make a huge splash. But the Clippers weren’t really willing to play ball. Then Danny Ainge was being Danny Ainge.”
Green’s comments highlighted how the Warriors were serious about creating a new superteam but faced significant resistance from both Los Angeles and Utah, ultimately leading to the plan’s collapse.
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors’ front office, led by general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., was aggressive in trying to pull off the dual acquisition. Initially, Golden State targeted Paul George, who had the ability to opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers after the 2024 season.
The idea was that the Clippers might be open to trading George for assets before he potentially left in free agency. Simultaneously, the Warriors had their eyes on Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, hoping to swing a deal for the rising star.
George, known for his two-way excellence and versatility, would have given the Warriors another elite scorer and perimeter defender to pair with Curry and Green. Meanwhile, Markkanen, who has blossomed into one of the league’s top sharpshooting forwards, would have stretched the floor for Golden State, adding size and a lethal outside shot to complement their small-ball lineup.
The Warriors had envisioned a scenario where they could acquire George without giving up their entire future, which would have left them with enough assets to make a reasonable offer for Markkanen.
However, trade talks with both teams quickly hit roadblocks. The Clippers reportedly insisted on Jonathan Kuminga, one of Golden State’s young and promising talents, as part of any deal for George. Meanwhile, Jazz executive Danny Ainge demanded the rest of the Warriors’ young core, including Moses Moody and multiple first-round picks, for Markkanen.
Green, speaking candidly, described Ainge’s negotiating style as difficult, noting that the Warriors had no intention of gutting their future entirely to make the deals happen. Despite the Warriors’ eagerness to build another championship-caliber team around Curry and Green, Dunleavy and head coach Steve Kerr ultimately decided that the cost of acquiring both George and Markkanen was too steep.
Had the Warriors succeeded in their pursuit, the addition of George and Markkanen would have created a formidable lineup that could have reestablished Golden State as the clear favorites in the Western Conference. Instead, the Warriors will enter the 2024-25 season with a roster centered around Curry, Green, and their remaining young talents, hoping to remain competitive while keeping an eye on the future.
In the end, despite their best efforts, the Warriors chose not to sacrifice their long-term flexibility for short-term success. While the “Big 4” dream didn’t materialize, Golden State remains a team with high expectations and the potential to contend as they navigate the final years of Curry’s illustrious career.
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