There’s a growing belief in league circles that the Warriors are more willing to trade Jonathan Kuminga than Brandin Podziemski in a blockbuster deal for Lauri Markkanen or another impact player, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack notebook.
Rumors of Golden State’s interest in Markkanen have been floated for weeks. According to Stein’s sources, the Jazz have enough interest in a package of Podziemski and future draft compensation that they could move Markkanen before Aug. 6, when Markkanen becomes eligible to renegotiate and extend his contract. He has an expiring $18MM deal.
The Warriors are reluctant to part with Podziemski not only because of how highly they value his on-court contributions but also for financial reasons. He has three years left on his rookie contract while Kuminga is eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason. Any raise for Podziemski wouldn’t come onto the books until the contracts of Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins expire in the summer of 2027.
Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes and Franz Wagner — members of the same rookie class as Kuminga — have all signed max extensions. It’s unlikely Golden State will make that type of offer to him, but he’s due for a large raise.
It remains to be seen if adding Kuminga to a trade package would move the needle for Utah’s front office. Thus far, Golden State’s offers for Markkanen have centered around a combination of Moses Moody and other contracts, plus draft compensation, without including Podziemski or Kuminga, Stein adds.
The Warriors wouldn’t be able to immediately extend Markkanen since renegotiation-and-extension scenarios are only available to teams with cap space. But their continued interest in him suggests they’re confident they can lock him up long-term next offseason if they acquire him.
Here’s more from Stein:
- Carlik Jones‘ triple-double for South Sudan against Team USA could lead to renewed interest from NBA teams. Jones recently signed a two-year deal with Serbia’s Partizan Belgrade but the contract includes an NBA escape clause, valid through Thursday. Jones was the NBA G League MVP for the 2022/23 season, when he had a two-way deal with the Bulls. Last season, Jones played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.
- Expect a contract extension for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau in the near future. Thibodeau would be entering the final season of his original five-year contract without an extension but he’s expected to sign a new deal with a value of at least $10MM annually.
- The Mavericks have a roster opening and they’re interested in re-signing Spencer Dinwiddie. Two other guards, Dennis Smith Jr. and Talen Horton-Tucker, are also under consideration but Dinwiddie is believed to be the team’s top choice. They’re also interested in retaining forward Markieff Morris, who is considered a lock to return, says Stein.
Like a broken record we’ve been telling everyone forever. Of the young guys of course Moody is who you want to get rid of first.
And for a thousand different reasons Podski is the last guy you want to give up.
Even hearing it here some won’t realize the pecking order. Not sure what game they’re watching, or what team they’re building in their minds.
Still looking for Warriors to dump Wiggins and Moody aside from what happens or not with Lauri Markkanen. Those two might have to be lateral moves but get them done please. I am absolutely finished with both guys.
Moody of the 4 is the person that has to prove the most. He needs to prove her deserve the minutes and better come out and play hard.
You can’t prove anything when you get zero minutes and pods get 30+
He needs to prove he deserve the minutes above others. Moody been inconsistent in his play.
SF Warriors, what are you talking about? You prove it in practice every single day. Or you don’t lol.
Gary, I’m sorry, but if you can’t see how perfect a fit Podz is on the rebuilding Utah, along with how good Lauri makes GSW, I don’t know what to tell you. This is just GSW trying to inflate Podz’ trade value so GSW can swap Podz-Lauri 1-1 with no picks. Ultimately I think Podz plus 2 first round picks is what Utah will accept, but all these “GSW really values Podz” pieces written behind paywalls about possible trades for Lauri are just to increase Podz’ reputation and therefore trade value and remove more draft picks from Ainge’s want list, all these pieces are just out there to make him think Podz alone might be enough for Lauri.
Podz -is- a decent player, but he needs to work on his overall game on a bad team for him to reach his ceiling, and that would best be done used as a primary playmaker on a team like Utah, but as of right now, he does not fit in on a team with Steph and Dray on it. Podz is a mediocre SG but a decent PG – but he cant play PG with Curry there and being that Moody plays superior SG defense and is a better scorer than Podz, Moody should honestly be the starting SG alongside Steph next year. Moody -should- have been added to the main rotation last year, like Kuminga was, but Kerr unilaterally decided to give Podz a massive amount of minutes he did nothing to earn as a rookie, which came at Moody’s much more deserving expense. Podz should have been used in bursts, maxing out around 10-15 MPG, not getting the most minutes on team in many games (losses). Podz is great piece on GSW as a burst player, but they already have GP2 for that and Kerr seems obsessed with using Podz like he is Lebron James (he isnt). Podz really isn’t a fit on GSW’s roster now and later, Lauri is.
Podz rebounding and ball handling were what we needed. I think package Moody and Kuminga and keep the picks. Utah would be getting two solid players.
Why do we need a SG to rebound, not shoot?
Podz is a natural PG, so yeah his handling isnt bad, but we already have Curry for that. Unless you want to make Podz to be Steph’s strict backup who never plays on court at the same time as him, Podz is better off on another team without a superstar elite PG.
Dave J , you continue to say ‘Podz doesn’t fit’. But the numbers say you’re wrong.
2023-24 plus/minus (from nba.com)
Klay Thompson : +7
Jonathan Kuminga: +126
Brandin Podziemski: +264
Moses Moody: +100
Draymond Green: +173
Steph Curry: +189
Yes, Podz got an astonishing amount of minutes on an over .500 team, often playing alongside 3 HOFers, he got the most minutes, therefore his +/- will be high. Podz almost never played with the second unit or, in Moody’s case, with all the 2-way guys, so Podz +/- will be high. See how it works?
Davey J, It’s, literally, mathematically impossible for what you say to be true. It comes down to 3rd grade arithmetic. If you can add and subtract numbers, you’ll understand
Let’s start with the stats of 1 of the HOF’ers, Klay, who over the entire season, was on the court for a +7 point differential. In the very best case, playing alongside Podziemski could account for only 7 of Podz’ +264 score.
Similarly, playing alongside Steph could account for only 184 of Podz +264 score.
The only mathematical possibility is that Podz had a high +/- when none of the HoF’ers were on the floor.
It’s really all about Moody and Kuminga being eligible for a huge raise in one yr. There is always going to be a question if they fit the rebuild timeline. That being said, Kuminga is not going to be happy and either way Warriors are going to give him a huge extension very soon.
Michol , don’t discount the following very real possibility: Kuminga is NOT offered an extension this summer, plays out the season, and decides, as he’s got the right to do, to test free agency.
Although Warriors have the right to match any offer, they may not have the cap space to do so. For example, Toronto just extended Scottie Barnes at $55M/yr for 5 yrs and Immauel Quickley, a lesser player than Kuminga, at $35M/yr for 5 years.
Warriors have not approached Kuminga with an offer yet. Of all the young players in the NBA eligible for rookie scale extension, Kuminga represents the most likely to be lost to free agency.
The way the Warriors have handled Moody and Kuminga so far in their careers has been shameful
They picked players who were 18 years old and very raw. These things take time and they’re not studs deserving minutes coming out of the gate.
I agree. Kerr has never used a rookie like he used Podz last year. He literally always said “rookies have to earn it”, but Podz had only one good game, as a burst player, and Kerr immediately gave him more mins than Kuminga and Moody – two guys who have titles already, who know how to play championship ball. Podz meanwhile kept bricking in front of an open Curry – not a good sign. I like Podz and think he will be at his best in 3-4 years after building up a team like Utah. We need someone more ready now to pair with Steph+Dray, like Lauri.
Lauri, Kuminga, Moody, TJD and Post all fit the timeline. Podz does not.
My impression especially after his rookie year , is GSW are grooming Podz to ultimately be Currys successor – or at the least after a very encouraging all around rookie season, see how far he can mature in that role for the duration of his rookie contract. He often was playing like a vet with more experience than he actually has – he seems to mostly make smart , crafty choices with the ball & projects to be a great all around contributer within the next couple years. As a rookie he played 26 mpg which was very close to Paul with similar production. Paul was better playmaker, Podz was the better defender & rebounder.
I think within a year or 2 he will be a very valuable all around starter.
Kuminga is due for a very large extension & honestly is a very undersized tweener who struggled to rebound or shoot. He’ll be a good NBA player with high potential no doubt , but Podz fit is much better within that system longterm & financially for the foreseeable future. ( cheap rookie contract )
Moody regardless of why , has never really been to assert himself as a starting caliber wing , and also is coming up for an extension.
I also believe Ainge is WAY too savvy a hustler and strategist to bite on posturing or attempts trying to artificially inflate Podz value just to essentially trick him into accepting podz plus a couple 1sts lol.
There’s no rush for Jazz to make ANY move , so ainge has all the cards & all the leverage within negotiations regardless – GSW does have an urgency to make a move , so it’s possible Ainge doesnt accepting anything but but a home run deal as he’s achieved in the past. He likely wants something like Podz Kuminga , and multiple 1sts. I’m sure they’ve already offered Kuminga + Moody + a 1st or 2 , so one has to assume it wasn’t enough for Ainge in my opinion looking at his past transaction history.
King, I’m in agreement with you on most things here. But I believe Danny Ainge does NOT want to sign ANYONE to a long-term extension at pretty big dollars. I think he cringes at that thought.
For any other GM that would be a nice move but for some reason Danny Ainge salivates at hoarding draft picks so he can grab his guy.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx ,
Ainge has had 2 years since trading Mitchell and Gobert, the rebuild has not gone as planned, so those tactics aren’t available much longer.
Jazz ownership is on record saying the’d be contenders by next season (2024-25), Jazz fans are fed up.
“He often was playing like a vet with more experience than he actually has – he seems to mostly make smart , crafty choices with the ball” – this right here is untrue. I watched about 70 GSW games last year and was almost daily frustrated by Podz choices – especially when passing up an open Curry to brick a shot himself. I said “rookie mistake” out loud during games at him far too much to have you turn around and make statements like this.
The veterans were actually frustrated with Podz overconfidence throughout the season. He plays with too much confidence that results in sloppy “me first” play – and losses. Podz is kind of a Russell Westbrook-type in that you HAVE to make him #1 at everything for things to work, and you won’t get out of the second round of playoffs playing like that.
Podz height is also a lie, he is MUCH SMALLER than 6’5″ – when he was standing next to 5’8″ Floyd Mayweather this week (google it) there is zero way Brandin is 6’5″. At most he is 6’3″ and that makes more sense when you watched other teams with actual-bigs take advantage of the Klay-Podz-Steph lineups by switching onto Podz in the key. Yes, he averaged 0.5 charges a game, that’s 1 every 2 games, meanwhile he got switched onto and many points put directly on his head. I do think Podz has potential as an NBA-level PG, whether its as a GP2-style burst bench guy, or starter, remains to be seen, but that should be figured out on the Jazz, not the team with Curry. Steph is GSW’s PG and Steph is going to play another 5-10 years – there’s no room for Podz here.
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There’s no rush for Jazz to make ANY move , so ainge has all the cards & all the leverage within negotiations regardless
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Incorrect. You’re not paying attention to what’s going on in Utah. They’re entering year 3 of a rebuild, two years from dumping Mitchell and Gobert, and NOBODY sees direction. They are known around the league as “The Living Dead.” They’re still playing and paying $60M to Collins, Clarkson, and Sexton, 2 years after they were supposed to be traded for future assets.
Ainge doesn’t have to trade Markkanen, but everyone knows he is desperately shopping $60M worth of mediocrity. Once that’s done and Utah is left with the worst team in the NBA, ask yourself if it makes sense to Markkanen $50M/yr for 5 years.
How does Post fit?
Davey J , Podz got so many minutes because he contributed to success. The evidence, as you know, is irrefutable.
2023-24 plus/minus (from nba.com)
Klay Thompson : +7
Jonathan Kuminga: +126
Brandin Podziemski: +264
Moses Moody: +100
Draymond Green: +173
Steph Curry: +189
I wouldnt go as far as “shameful” but they didnt do a good job of developing them. They should have played them more knowing Warriors had no shot of contending the last 2 yrs. Klay and other vets should have played much less. But here we are where they are both eligible for extensions and Warriors have to make a decision once again. We are no longer “lights years ahead” unfortunately. :(
Exactly. It all comes back to Kerr unilaterally putting Podz over Kuminga and Moody on the depth chart a couple weeks into the season when Podz did nothing to deserve that playing time. Last year was the year to give Kuminga and Moody 35 MPG each but Steve DESPERATELY wanted to play all under 6’5″ lineups for some reason, and Podz was key to that.
Last season was the year to develop Moody and Kuminga (although he eventually did do this with JK), instead Kerr decided to develop Podz over the 2 guys who did everything to prove they were ready to take the next step…to massively disappointing results!
I’ll agree with Brabo: shameful. And, worse: self-destructive.
More than G-Leaguers Lester Quinones, Anthony Lamb, and Ty Jerome being obviously inferior to JK and Moody, we knew we were cutting the G-Leaguers loose after the season.
We chose not to develop our first round picks so that we could lose games with G-Leaguers.
@aristotle – YES. Kerr playing 2-way guys who are short and/or just plain bad while Moody and Kuminga should have been getting literally all of those minutes, is horrific handling of 1st round picks. Kerr’s rotations were awful last year.
Lauri ain’t the missing piece for the Warriors…
He’ll help them to the play in, Warriors need him to become a 30 pts, 15 rebounds per game player…
30 PPG shouldn’t be a problem for Markkanen, a halfway competent PG provided. He averaged 25.6 PPG in his 22/23 All-Star season, despite the Jazz FO trading away the only decent PG on the team, Mike Conley, at the deadline.
Last season’s Jazz were a cacophony of bench-level misfits and G League scrubs with no noteworthy ball distributors outside of Kris Dunn, whom the FO decided to sit, especially during the second half of the season, in order to ensure the tank.
As the sole NBA starter-level player on Utah’s team, Markkanen drew every opponent’s attention. Chucking scrubs like Sexton, George and Clarkson didn’t even bother got get him the ball. Many games Markkanen finished with merely the fourth or fifth most shot attempts of the entire team, while aforementioned bums fired away twice or three times as often. Yet, he still managed 23.2 PPG on an extremely efficient level.
Given Markkanen’s elite versatility and efficiency, he should average somewhere in the vicinity of 30 PPG with relative ease, especially with opposing defenses focusing on more players than just him.
If only Markkaanen was as good as you suggest! He’s been a Top 30 player these last 2 years after a notably disappointing first 5 years in the league, where he averaged only 16 ppg, playing subpar defense.
It’s reasonable to assume Markkanen could continue as a Top 30 player if traded to the Warriors, but unreasonable to expect he suddenly becomes the Top 5 player you propose.
You give Markkanen extra credit because he plays for a bad team. Consider the opposite perspective, as shared by the Chicago and Cleveland teams that dumped him: Markkanen is SOFT, only plays well with nothing at stake, and is quite comfortable not participating in a playoff game for his entire career.
Why is this in the Bulls’ feed?
Umm…Did you read the title for this posting? Stein’s Latest! Marc Stein! It is not specifically a Bull’s feed.
Because of Carlick Jones, who last played for the Bulls.
We run a tool that automatically assigns categories based on the teams and players mentioned in the post, then manually tweak them from there. Sometimes we miss removing ones that were erroneously added (ie. the Bulls being added here because the Golden “Bulls” were mentioned in the post).
“Last season, Jones played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.”
It’s going to happen sometimes. You get the good with the bad.
Last season, Jones played in China for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.
The article lists a team in China named the Bulls. That’s probably why.
Has anyone noticed Davey J bizarre obsession with evaluating players based on whether or not they have “rings”. He takes this to even saying players that don’t have “rings” should not be in the Hall of Fame. Does he realize how many players in the HoF don’t have rings? If a player has multiple rings, does that mean they are that much better than players with only one ring? Kevon Looney has 3 rings. Wilt Chamberlain only has 1 ring. Is anyone going to confuse the two.
Wilt has two rings *
Hopefully with him right now
Wilt earned two rings I thought. One with the Sixers in 67 with Billy Cunningham and another with the Lakers with Jerry west. I didn’t look it up so maybe I’m wrong.
But yes I’m of the opinion Robert Horry and his eight rings makes him a top 10 NBA player all time. It’s obvious because it wasn’t just one team.., he won and carried SEVERAL different teams to championships.
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Has anyone noticed Davey J bizarre obsession with evaluating players based on whether or not they have “rings”.
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Are you suggesting there are people who have read more than 1 of his posts?
Trade Payton, Waters, cash, draft rights to five different people, future considerations and future 2nd rd pick to Chicago for Vooch.
Start Heild
Look at young C and PG’s out there in the world for a two way contract
Prowler or Prowdler idk has been playing good plus Ethan Thompson. Maybe sign Thompson and give him everything Klay had and treat him like Klay(just don’t give him Klay jersey number)
GS has a nice young team and Podz needs to go to the bench and develop with them.
Whoa, I just looked at this thread on mobile and saw @Giants74 calling me out after he knows I muted him? Wow. Dirty move. Like, bro! See that MUTE button, use it on me, please. Why doesn’t the mute button work both ways on this site? Its only going to lead to toxic engagements like what Giants47 did here.
Giants47 if you hate my takes so much you have to result to lying about them, why even read them? I don’t know why I would live SO rent-free in your mind, have you ever been on twitter? I am a fanatical Warriors fan who believes they can win the title as long as Steph and Dray are healthy, why is that “bad” to you? My Dub Nation posts are barely even spicy compared to others on twitter! People on twitter hate Podz with a passion! I at least think he’s an NBA player. But you are taking to lying to make me look bad? Please do not do that, in legal terms its called “targeted harassment” and I am fairly sure it breaks terms of service here.
For the record, I only use titles to compare COMPARABLE players. Moody and Podz both had 4.1 WS/48 last season, ergo, they basically were the same value to the Warriors last year, one got every chance to succeed and the other got less playing time because of the other guy. One already has a ring and therefore knows what it takes to get to the title, the other does not. I do not think anyone who has a title belongs in the HOF. I think ringless players shouldn’t be first ballot, but thats it. The NBA HOF is a large one that lets anyone in who has a good argument to be there. Why are you taking this weird stance of “This guy loves winning titles, therefore to me, he is bad”?
But yeah, its not that serious, I love talking hoops but if you are automatically thinking “anything this guy says I’m going to argue even if I have to lie about them” then that is toxic and you need to relax.