Jazz demand Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski on top of Warriors' current bid for Lauri Markkanen: Report
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly in pursuit of Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. The deal, however, may require giving up one of the team's brightest young players, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
In order for the Jazz to send the 2023 All-Star forward, they're looking for a deal than includes all three of the Warriors' top young players — Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski.
The report states that the Warriors initially offered a slew of picks and just Moody, the No. 14 pick from the 2021 NBA Draft who averaged 8.1 points per game last season.
Utah seemingly want much more established talent, requesting Kuminga and Podziemski, who were both key rotation players for Steve Kerr's team last year.
Kuminga broke out last season, averaging 16.1 points on 52.9 percent shooting. The No. 7 pick from 2021 is known as an athletic finisher on the floor.
Podziemski played in over 26 minutes per game as a rookie last year, scoring 9.1 points per game while shooting 38.5 percent from deep. He was drafted in with the No. 19 pick in last year's draft.
It's a steep price for the Finnish forward, who's scored 23.2 points and grabbed 8.2 rebounds per game in his seventh NBA season. He's entering the final year of a 4-year, $67 million contract he signed when he was with the Chicago Bulls.
Miami Heat seriously interested in Lauri Markkanen
He's drawn interest from teams around the league, including the Miami Heat, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.
On the Lowe Podcast, he remarked that the Heat are interested, but may lack the assets necessary to trade for him. The Warriors boast a more trade-able stash of young players, but on paper, the Heat could be a perfect fit.
They barely had their newest core of Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier share the floor together.
Markkanen's ability to stretch the floor and create shots for himself would be a crucial addition to the Heat's starting lineup. Markkanen has proven himself as a capable defender, averaging a 113 rating in his career, which furthers the Heat's reputation of being dynamic on both sides of the floor.
They'd likely have to explore trading two of their young players, Nikola Jovic and Jamie Jaquez Jr., along with a wealth of draft picks. But they've already dished out their picks for 2025 and 2027, along with several second-round picks in later years.