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Jazz are pricing themselves out of a Lauri Markkanen trade
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Jazz are pricing themselves out of a Lauri Markkanen trade

Multi-talented big man Lauri Markkanen has been a massive hit since joining the Utah Jazz in 2022. Now, the Jazz look to set cash in on his developments if a desirable trade offer crosses their table.

The Golden State Warriors are being heavily linked with a potential move for Markkanen. He would add the front court size and shooting Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been searching for since last summer. However, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Jazz have set a significant asking price on their star player.

"The Jazz, however, have asked for the bulk of young talent and capital the Warriors possess, including (Moses) Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, along with picks, which has been a non-starter thus far for Golden State," Charania reported. 

Kuminga and Podziemski project as future All-Star talents. They are the crown jewels in the Warriors' next generation. Dunleavy could likely be talked into parting ways with Moody, and maybe even Podziemski, but it's highly unlikely Kuminga will be available for trade this summer. Danny Ainge is clearly testing the waters. He's known to be a fierce negotiator. 

Nevertheless, the Jazz risk pricing Markkanen out of the trade market. He may have enjoyed two strong seasons in Salt Lake City, but he's a one-time All-Star who is a potential secondary or tertiary star in the Bay Area. Golden State won't want to mortgage its entire future on adding the sharpshooting big man.

Markkanen is a high-level talent who could elevate Golden State in the coming years. He is not the type of player you empty the cupboard for, though. The Jazz and Warriors have some negotiating to do if they want to get a deal over the line. Otherwise, Dunleavy should start looking elsewhere for a willing trade partner. 

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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