Are the Warriors the Perfect Lauri Markkanen Trade Destination?

The Utah Jazz may be trading their best player this season. The Lauri Markkanen trade rumors have started up, and it looks like the Jazz’s star could be on his way out at some point during the 2025-26 NBA season.

For the Jazz, it makes sense. Markkanen is older and better than the rest of their roster. He isn’t good enough to lead them to the NBA playoffs, but he is too good and too valuable on the trade market to keep on their rebuilding roster.

One team that could be a possible Lauri Markkanen trade destination is the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have committed to building the best possible team around Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, and Markkanen could be the perfect fit. 

There were rumors of a Warriors-Markkanen trade last summer, but the Warriors weren’t willing to add young players like Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga in the deal. Now, they have Jimmy Butler, and their priorities have changed. 

The Warriors have a one- or two-year window to win another NBA championship with Stephen Curry as their best player. Making a trade for Markkanen could be the final piece to take this veteran roster over the edge.

The spacing that Markkanen would provide in the Warriors' offense would be invaluable. He’s a 7-foot forward who shoots over 37% from three for his career. He is also a player who can create his own offense, something that the Warriors always need more of. 

Coming off an incredible run with Finland’s national team in EuroBasket, Markkanen’s stock is high. If he goes on the trade market, the Warriors would likely be one of many teams interested in trading for him. That being said, the Warriors have a handful of draft picks and a few established young players with the type of potential to intrigue Utah. 

This time around, they probably wouldn’t bat an eye about including Kuminga in a Markkanen trade, but would Podziemski finally be on the table? That could be the difference between adding Markkanen and watching him go to a potential rival.