The Golden State Warriors need to make big changes this offseason after failing to make the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Warriors have regressed in two consecutive seasons since their 2022 title triumph and need to make changes to maximize Stephen Curry’s brilliance while he’s still producing at an incredible level.
The Warriors are actively feeling out the trade market for Andrew Wiggins, who had another plagued season with Golden State in 2023-24. With Jonathan Kuminga looking ready to be the starting 3-and-D wing on the roster, the need for offensive production in the frontcourt is evident. The Warriors can fix that by making a major swing for Lauri Markkanen.
Trade Details
Utah Jazz Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody, 2026 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2027 First-Round Pick Swap (GSW), 2028 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2026 Second-Round Pick (ATL)
Golden State Warriors Receive: Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson
The Warriors also receive Jordan Clarkson in the deal to add a bench scorer given how sorely they missed Jordan Poole’s production last season. While this deal does not transform them into a team that could take down the top of the West, it brings them a lot closer to that goal.
The Utah Jazz Continue Accumulating Future Assets
The Jazz have proven over the last two seasons that they have no immediate plans for contention. After being a competitive playoff threat for the first three months of the season, the Jazz tore down their roster for future assets. Lauri Markkanen is already 27 years old, and the Finnish All-Star could contribute in a more meaningful role on a contender like the Warriors.
Markkanen averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds last season, slightly dipping in production from his debut season with the Jazz. The forward is on an expiring contract and the Jazz have to make a decision this season if Lauri is the core piece for their rebuilding project. With the core of the franchise much younger and the need for power forward minutes to be given to Taylor Hendricks, the Jazz might just be willing to take a pretty steep price for an expiring contract.
Jordan Clarkson didn’t receive major interest in the trade market over the season, but would be a great throw-in piece for the contending Warriors. They have a hole in their bench scoring department that the 31-year-old’s 17.1 points per game average would address. It further opens up minutes for younger swingmen on the Jazz like Brice Sensabaugh and Keyontae George.
Moses Moody would be a terrific addition to the team’s young core and would likely result in greater opportunity after years of riding the Warriors bench. Andrew Wiggins might not be the most exciting asset but a low-pressure season in Utah might be what he needs to get his career back on track.
The Warriors Start Pushing Their Chips Into The Middle
What exactly are the Warriors scared of? Yes, their franchise superstar is a 36-year-old point guard, but Stephen Curry has proven he can continue being the leading man of the Warriors. There is no reason to hedge on a two-timeline approach for the Warriors when, in one year, it worked, none of the youngsters played major minutes behind a slew of veterans. Last season, it resulted in a second-round exit and they missed the playoffs this season.
Markkanen is an elite scorer, who would be a major improvement over Wiggins’ 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds this season. The Finnish forward’s ability to fit into any role on offense is a major advantage, as he can complement the Warriors’ ball-movement style of play really well. His accuracy as a shooter and size on the inside give the Warriors a versatile scoring wing that they haven’t had in years.
Chris Paul might have replaced Jordan Poole and brought a sense of calm to the Warriors’ bench, but they still need that scoring punch. Clarkson provides that admirably as a former Sixth Man of the Year winner who knows what it takes to compete for a title. If the Warriors bring Paul back on a team-friendly contract, this would be a lethal bench duo.
Moody’s loss might hurt some core fans, but the team already has a young two-guard in Brandin Podziemski that they can rely on instead. Moody averaged 8.1 points and 3.0 rebounds this season, failing to crack the Warriors’ rotation in his third season with the team. There’s a clear lack of trust in Moody’s current skill-set, so it’s best to use him to sweeten this deal.
The Warriors Take Steps Behind Returning To The Top
This trade will allow the Warriors to get a proven scoring threat with size to compete in the Western Conference. This archetype of player can change offense overnight and the Warriors need someone to do that next to an aging Stephen Curry. The team will need to fill other holes on their roster, but adding Markkanen to this roster would be a masterstroke for the Warriors front office. It’s just a question of what they’re willing to give up to make win-now moves.
The Warriors have more trade assets to dangle in front of other teams, especially in terms of pick swaps. They’re unlikely to trade 2023 rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce-Jackson Davis after their sensational rookie campaigns, but the team needs to put in place more consistent veteran players in their roster if they’re serious about contending for a title. Even with Podziemski’s strengths. he wasn’t nearly consistent enough as a scorer to impact scoring off the bench or even as a starter over Klay Thompson.
The Jazz have a young nucleus that have a lot more to figure out in the coming seasons. There seems no point in letting Markkanen’s value flatline, whether it is with a big-money contract extension or another slight regression that might make teams question their commitment to parting with major assets for the Finnish forward.
Both teams can take steps toward reaching their goals with this trade, as it makes their particular directions clearer.
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