The Warriors viewed the Jazz‘s asking price in trade talks for Lauri Markkanen as one that would have made it a “bad deal” if they’d met it, sources tell Kendra Andrews of ESPN, which is why discussions between the two teams stalled. Those talks officially came to an end on Wednesday when Markkanen renegotiated and extended his contract with Utah, making him ineligible to be dealt until the 2025 offseason.
Confirming previous reporting from The Athletic, Andrews says the Warriors aren’t feeling any urgency to shift their focus to a new trade target now that Markkanen is off the board, citing team sources who say the club isn’t “hot on” any of the players currently available on the market.
The negotiations with Utah also showed that the Warriors intend to hang onto young players like Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga “very tightly,” Andrews writes, and would only be willing to move one or both of them in an “overwhelming” deal that made the team better in the long run.
For now, Podziemski, Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Trayce Jackson-Davis all appear poised to take on larger roles with the Warriors in 2024/25, though nothing will be handed to them, a source tell Andrews, meaning they’ll have to show that they deserve increased minutes and possibly starting spots. While Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are, of course, penciled in as starters, the other three spots in the starting five are considered “wide open” entering training camp, Andrews reports.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Curry and Green want to be consulted on the Warriors’ roster moves, but they’ve made it clear they don’t want to be “final decision-makers,” sources tell ESPN. “Steph has said, ‘Look, I do not want to be making those decisions. It puts me in a different spot than all of my teammates. I do not want that,'” one source said to Andrews. While the two stars are still adjusting to the fact that Klay Thompson is no longer on the roster, they’re excited about the moves Golden State has made this offseason, Andrews adds.
- With Thompson and Chris Paul exiting Golden State this summer, adding scoring was the team’s top priority, which was the impetus for the addition of Buddy Hield in particular. The Warriors also expect Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton to contribute in that area while helping to solidify the defense, Andrews writes.
- The Warriors haven’t engaged in any serious rookie scale extension discussions with Kuminga or Moody yet, but general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has expressed interest in exploring deals for both players. Andrews suggests Moody’s next deal could be in the range of $11-13MM per year.
- One front office source told Andrews that it was “actually really fun” to be able to operate below the tax aprons this offseason for the first time in years. That allowed the Warriors to use their full mid-level exception (on Melton) and acquire two players (Hield and Anderson) via sign-and-trade.
- “Diversifying” the coaching staff and bringing in fresh faces was a goal this offseason, which led to the additions of Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse. A source referred to head coach Steve Kerr and Stotts as “kindred spirits” and said Kerr appreciates the offensive acumen and communication skills the former Blazers head coach will bring to the club. Stackhouse, meanwhile, is expected to team up with assistant coach Chris DeMarco in focusing on the defensive side of the ball, says Andrews.
Is this another year of oh he’s still developing. A future all star type talk surrounding Kuminga?
GSW must be due to overpay Kuminga soon.
Jonathan Kuminga will be fine. He’s improved every year. Your description more aptly fits Moses Moody. I think they trade him before the bill comes due. Wiggins needs to be traded as well and Gary Payton also if necessary.
One player that is never mentioned is Gui Santos who was on the Brazil Olympic team. If they trade Moody he takes Moody minutes. His 3 pt shooting has improved.
Trading Moody unless for a legit elite superstar, like KD, would be a huge mistake. He has a lot of Kawhi Leonard in his game, if you watch his highlight reels. Early in his career he got played with bad, 2-way and end of bench players who arent in the league anymore way too often, now is the time to put him as the starting SG above Podz, who still needs to do more to earn his minutes instead of him getting the most mins on the whole team in a loss. Podz should get the GP2 minutes, 10-15 a game. Moody should be getting 30 next season. Lets see what Moses can do with serious minutes.
First for everything. Agree on Moody, he’s got some dog in him, plays hard both ends and efficient. I’ve never understood why Kerr won’t play him more.
Gary , I’m with you 100% on the need to create minutes for the better players by reducing the rotation.
It’s “addition by subtraction” — by moving on from Klay, Wiggins and GP2, we can give Kuminga, Podziemski, Melton and Hield enough minutes.
I agree that it’s uncomfortable financially to extend Moody, but moving off Wiggins and GP2 saves $36M so that might make keeping Moody possible.
What’s your definition of fine? Kerr refuses to play Moody. Get back to me when Kuminga gets paid. Ainge had zero interest in Kuminga. Is he a 3 or a 4? I’m not sure he or Kerr knows. Did you notice GS bought in Anderson? Why? Don’t blame them, I trust Anderson more than Kuminga. Warriors don’t have time to be wasting. I would of given up podz, kuminga some picks for markkanen. Nobody is trading for Wiggins, he checked after beating Boston. Let’s say he does come good though, more bad news for kuminga.
Anderson was bought in because GSW had like 9 under 6’5″ guards last year and that caused many losses, as any team with a decent big could get their team over the line vs GSW. No size. Kerr playing Curry-Podz-Klay-GP2 or Cp3-Podz-Klay lineups and getting annihilated. Anderson isnt a guard and he’s a decent rotation regular. Anderson can defend and rebound in the paint, Podz cant, he just collects deflection rebounds, he isnt going bodies in the paint. Anderson is a huge get tbh
Kuminga, Steph and Dray were one of the best trios in the league once Kuminga went into the starting lineup. Dray not being there lots of the year didnt help him, but Kuminga started to excel late in the year when Dray was cooking (Moody did too). JK is an astounding defender and a more than capable scorer. He is a solid 3rd guy on a title winner with a ceiling of being the #1 guy. Moody is dollar store Kawhi, Kuminga is dollar store Lebron, Podz is dollar store Russ. Even dollar store versions of those dudes are going to be at minimum solid NBA regulars. GSW will be a quality unit next year due to how high the floor is on the bench. Draymond playing 70+ regular season games will decide if they enter the top 4 or not.
Long way of saying if GSW make the playoffs Kerr will go with a more reliable option in Anderson.
Nope, Anderson is Kuminga’s backup. Kuminga is Him. You need to watch more tape.
> Ainge had zero interest in Kuminga.
Ok, it’s clear you haven’t been paying attention to reports in the national media or public statements by the teams.
Warriors have not offered Kuminga or Podziemski to either Clippers or Jazz, which is the primary reason why the deals did not get done. Warriors are offering Moody and picks.
Kuminga gets more minutes every year, consistent with his improvement. Last year he played 26 mpg, and this year it’ll be more.
Kerr has stated publicly that Kuminga’s future is as a 3, not a 4. That is one of the main reasons for trading Klay Thompson.
Kyle Anderson takes Dario Saric’s spot on the roster. As with Minnesota and Memphis, he’ll come off the bench as a glue-guy,
Cool, if your comfortable with your team moving forward how they are while Steph is there then good for you and good luck. I’m sure Anderson will come off the bench. I’m also sure if you make the playoffs Anderson will be on the court when it matters, not Kuminga.
Everyone trying to trade GP2…. stop it. He’s the best on ball defender we have he gets blocks and steals he’s a great rebounder. Loves a put back dunk. Plays to his strengths. Doesn’t make a ton. Relax. Not the guy to trade.
I hear you Pogo but I think his minutes will be reduced now that two more guards perhaps three were brought in.
He’s strictly a situational three n d. He has no handles and can’t create for himself or others. He’s strictly a disruptor Off the Bench creating havoc and change of pace defensively.
I love he can hit the corner three. Plus his random put back dunks or alley oops are electrifying. He’s a good asset on a playoff team in situations.
But his money is astronomical relevant to the minutes he’ll receive this year.
If the Warriors could package him I would send him out without a second thought.
Don’t get me wrong I loved his contributions 3 years ago. He was huge for the Warriors No Doubt about it. But today the guy can’t stay healthy for 6 months at a time.
Sometimes that’s the drawback from these high flying athletic guys. They eventually have to land and sometimes it’s awkwardly or on somebody etc.
@pogo GP2 was bad on defense last year when played as a stretch 4 and 3. He seemed off all year, perhaps playing injured. The team is committing to Podz, who is essentially the same player. I love GP2 but he simply makes too much money and this team has little room to move in roster upgrades unless Wiggins, GP2 and/or Looney get traded.
Nrg82 , Kuminga is progressing exactly as they’d hoped. He started in the NBA at 18, and is still only 21 years old.
Last year, he shot 53%, and scored 16.1 pts in 26 mpg. (If he’d played 34 mpg, like, say, Ant Edwards, that’s 23 ppg.)
He’s improved every year, and will continue to do so. Good franchises patiently develop young talent this way.
Lol well I just don’t think he’s that good and Warriors certainly don’t have time to wait and find out do they? I’m fully aware of patience and development of young players after celebrating banner 18. Who suits Steph’s timeline more, pods and kuminga or markkanen? You can’t automatically gift people stats off what ifs either.
nrg82 , I’ll tell you exactly what Warriors ownership has said in response to your questions.
They seek to ADD a star to their existing core, which includes Podz and Kuminga, NOT REPLACE their existing core with a new player.
Joe Lakob has recently stated that the combo of Steph + Paul George or Steph + Markkanen doesn’t
put the Warriors in contention for a ‘Chip without Podz and Kuminga. I think that’s a reasonable and sober assessment.
Markkanen is a Top 30 player, like, say, Kristaps Porzingis. He’ll add, say, 6 wins. That’s not enough to justify trading away your future.
Exactly right – Lacob+MDJ’s big brain move here is to pivot to a mid-year trade package of the 3 guys who make the most money who aren’t even necessarily going to get big minutes next year: Wiggins + GP2 + Looney = $102.3 million currently, minus whatever day they are traded.
That’s big money and any big money player on a bad team or any player who gets mad in the middle of the season and requests a trade is on GSW’s menu. We don’t know who that is yet, but we can probably deduct that those are the 3 players most likely to be traded by what they have said all offseason about who isn’t going to be traded.
Awe man, I love your passion for your team but I promise you once Steph is done it’s full blown rebuild. While he’s there, should be all in. Markkanen has been an all star. I’ve got serious doubts Kuminga, Podz etc ever get to that level. You may give these guys a season at most after Steph, then it’s time to recoup draft capital. Good talk, all the best.
You are incredibly wrong about how good the group of Kuminga, Moody, TJD and Podz are. Those are all high floor players who already have championship rings, rookie 1st team appearances, and have extensive playing time with Steph/Dray already in their young careers. Post also is a lot better than people think, especially with this roster. I love GSW’s future, especially once Wiggins, Looney and GP2’s money is off the books. The “rebuild” is already in full swing, you don’t “tear down” a team full of 21 year olds.
Steph Curry also has not ruled out playing into his 40s. What are you mindless haters who don’t even watch Warriors games going to do when he wins MVP at 40? What if he decides he’s ok with being a second unit bench guy and plays til he’s 50? What if those legs don’t slow down? What then?? Steph is not the same as anyone, but a lesser talent/worse runner but “pure shooter” type in Kyle Korver played til age 38 and was still decent in that bench role and showed in that last year he could have played longer.
What would you know. I doubt you ever watched him. Yet you got answers. Nobody on this board were big Kuminga guys. 19 yr olds need time. Like you need time to understand the development of talent. Learn the game. Then you can criticize ….
Lmao
Look at JK’s year-to-year results by age. Then put them side by side with Jaylen Brown’s.
I love the coaching changes. I think fresh voices are needed.
While I don’t think they are a finals contender this year should be fun to watch vs the last two years. It will be interesting to see what identity they take on. We had a great run Warriors fans and after the previous 20 something losing seasons prior to the run at least we will be good team moving forward. We didn’t have to start at the bottom like the Lakers will when Lebron retires
I agree, it really is up to Kuminga and Moody to take a big step this season. If those two and Podz and TJD also improve, and Draymond stays on the court, GSW should easily be a top 6 team and likely top 4.
Many people do forget Kuminga started at 18 now he is much older and getting bigger and stronger. Warriors do not need a big man scorer but a big man that screens and rebounds. If they get a good screener they can watch Kuminga go to the bucket after bucket.
Moody is only 6 months older than Kuminga, many people do forget that too. Moody also has done nothing to not earn more minutes, Kuminga and Moody both stunk when playing with the 3rd unit, but when played with Steph and Dray, they excelled. I don’t know why “you have to win with the 3rd unit” was their “bar” to “earn” more minutes, when Podz “bar” was “having 1 good game against Portland” which unlocked massive minutes for him, and less for Moody, which damaged the teams chances to win, which led to this middling season they ended up having.
Moses Moody is a true baller, all his detractors on this site will see this year…its REALLY bad analysis to write off or make forever-declarations on anyone under 25, by the way. Weird when people do that, in my opinion (not you, @arc89)…
The Warriors had a really great off season, they added shooting, defense, some point guard depth. They couldnt get a center but they did it without one in 2022 so maybe that wont be that big of a problem
Post might be that center. 4 year Boston College starter who is NBA-ready now. GSW traded for him after he was drafted and they are deciding if he will be on the 15 man, or a 2-way spot. His footwork is dazzling on offense, his defense needs work but if the footwork is good on one end, its not long to get him to use it on D.
Brabo , Trace Jackson-Davis?
Payton, Waters, Cash, future considerations, draft rights to… and a 2nd to Chicago for Vooch.
Clears minutes for Moody as well. Waive Spencer and sign Post