The Golden State Warriors may have a path toward trading for Lauri Markkanen this offseason. And it might be one of their best possible targets.
A new timeline exists for the Utah Jazz after they received the second overall draft pick in the NBA Draft lottery. Markkanen could hit the trade market as Utah now looks to build around their upcoming draft pick, Ace Bailey, and Keyonte George as the most important pieces of the future.
The Warriors need help. Stephen Curry is 38. He can’t carry the offense single-handedly anymore. Draymond Green is 36 and declining. Jimmy Butler is recovering from a torn ACL and won’t be ready until mid-season.
Enter Lauri Markkanen.
According to a trade proposal from Fadeaway World, the Warriors could acquire Markkanen and Jalen Suggs in a three-team blockbuster. The cost? Jimmy Butler, the No. 11 pick, and a staggering five first-round picks or pick swaps.
*“Markkanen would be a genuine No. 2 scoring option for Curry to rely on after years of carrying Golden State’s offense single-handedly.”*
That’s the sales pitch. Markkanen is a 7-foot sharpshooter who can space the floor, score from anywhere, and fit perfectly in Steve Kerr’s motion offense. He’s 28 years old – young enough to be a bridge to the post-Curry era.
But the cost is enormous. Five first-round picks is a king’s ransom. And Markkanen is not Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s not a top-10 player. He’s not a two-way superstar.
Is he worth the gamble? Or are the Warriors better off keeping their assets and waiting for a bigger fish?
Let’s break down the trade, the fit, the risk, and whether the Warriors should pull the trigger on Lauri Markkanen.
The Jazz’s New Timeline: Why Markkanen Is Available
Let’s start with the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz won the second overall pick in the NBA Draft lottery. They are expected to select Ace Bailey – a 6-foot-10 forward with superstar potential. They already have Keyonte George, a young guard who averaged 18 points per game last season.
Utah is building for the future. Markkanen is 28. He’s a great player, but he doesn’t fit the timeline. The Jazz want to develop their young core. They want to accumulate assets. They want to bottom out and build through the draft.
Markkanen is their most valuable trade asset. He’s on a reasonable contract. He’s an elite scorer. He would fetch a significant return.
The Warriors are one of the teams that could make that return happen.
The Proposed Trade: What Golden State Would Give Up
Let’s look at the specific deal.
Golden State Warriors receive:
Lauri Markkanen
Jalen Suggs
Utah Jazz receive:
Jimmy Butler
Noah Penda
2028 first-round pick swap (from GSW)
2029 first-round pick (from GSW)
2031 first-round pick (from GSW)
Orlando Magic receive:
Will Richard
Svi Mykhailiuk
No. 11 pick (2026 NBA Draft)
2027 first-round pick (from GSW)
This is a massive trade. The Warriors would be sending out Jimmy Butler, the No. 11 pick, and a total of five first-round picks or swaps.
That’s a lot. That’s the kind of package you send for a top-10 player. Markkanen is good – but is he that good?
The Markkanen Fit: A Perfect No. 2 for Curry
Let’s talk about what Markkanen brings.
Markkanen is a 7-foot forward who can shoot. He averaged 23.2 points per game last season. He shot 39% from three. He’s a career 87% free-throw shooter.
He’s not a great defender. He’s not a shot-creator. He’s not a playmaker. But he doesn’t need to be.
In Golden State, Markkanen would be the ultimate floor-spacer. He would stand in the corner, run off screens, and catch-and-shoot. He would be the perfect release valve for Curry when defenses collapse.
Markkanen and Draymond Green would complement each other well. Green’s defense would cover for Markkanen’s flaws. Markkanen’s shooting would cover for Green’s offensive limitations.
Together, they would form an ideal frontcourt.
The Suggs Addition: A Young Guard for the Future
Let’s not forget about Jalen Suggs.
Suggs is a 24-year-old guard who can defend, shoot, and play off the ball. He averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 assists last season. He’s a former No. 5 overall pick.
Suggs would give the Warriors a young, athletic guard to pair with Brandin Podziemski in the post-Curry era. He’s not a star, but he’s a solid rotation player.
Including Suggs in the deal makes the massive pick compensation more palatable. The Warriors aren’t just getting Markkanen – they’re getting a young contributor as well.
The Cost: Five First-Round Picks Is a Lot
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Five first-round picks is a staggering amount of draft capital. That’s the kind of package that can set a franchise back for years if the player doesn’t work out.
Markkanen is good. He’s a top-30 player. But he’s not a top-10 player. He’s not going to single-handedly lead the Warriors to a championship.
If the Warriors trade five first-round picks for Markkanen, they are betting that he can be the No. 2 option on a title team. That’s a risky bet.
The Jimmy Butler Factor: An Injured Asset
Let’s talk about what the Warriors are sending out.
Jimmy Butler is recovering from a torn ACL. He won’t be ready until the midpoint of next season. He’s 37 years old. He’s owed $56.8 million.
The Warriors are not trading peak Jimmy Butler. They’re trading an injured, aging superstar on an expiring contract.
That’s not a huge loss. The Warriors were already planning to move on from Butler. His contract is massive. His injury history is concerning. His timeline doesn’t match Curry’s.
Sending Butler to Utah in this deal is actually a positive. It clears cap space. It removes uncertainty. It allows the Warriors to reset.
The Jazz’s Perspective: Why Utah Would Say Yes
Let’s flip the script.
Why would Utah trade Markkanen? Because they’re rebuilding. Because they have the No. 2 pick. Because they want to build around Ace Bailey and Keyonte George.
The Jazz would get three first-round picks, a pick swap, and Jimmy Butler (who they could flip or let expire). That’s a significant haul for a player who doesn’t fit their timeline.
Utah would also get Noah Penda – a young prospect – and cap flexibility.
From the Jazz’s perspective, this deal makes sense. They’re not contending anytime soon. They need assets. They need picks. This trade gives them both.
The Magic’s Involvement: Why Orlando Participates
Let’s talk about the third team.
The Orlando Magic are included to make the money work. They receive the No. 11 pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and two role players.
The Magic are building around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They need shooting. They need depth. They need young talent.
The No. 11 pick would be valuable for Orlando. They could draft a shooter or a defensive wing. The 2027 pick gives them future assets.
For the Magic, this is a no-brainer. They give up very little and get a lot in return.
The Giannis Comparison: Why Markkanen Is Plan B
Let’s not pretend Markkanen is the Warriors’ first choice.
The Warriors have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s the big fish. He’s the perfect teammate for Curry. He’s a top-3 player.
But the Giannis sweepstakes will be competitive. The Thunder have more picks. The Knicks have more young players. The Heat are always in the mix.
If the Warriors can’t get Giannis, Markkanen is an excellent fallback option.
He’s younger than Giannis (28 vs. 31). He’s a better shooter. He fits the Warriors’ system better. He would cost less in terms of players (though the pick compensation is still massive).
The question is whether the Warriors want to spend five first-round picks on a Plan B.
The Risk: What If Markkanen Isn’t Enough?
Let’s be realistic.
The Warriors are an aging team. Curry is 38. Green is 36. The supporting cast is thin.
Adding Markkanen would make the Warriors better. It would give them a legitimate second scorer. It would improve their spacing.
But would it make them championship contenders? That’s debatable.
The Western Conference is loaded. The Thunder are young and deep. The Nuggets have Nikola Jokic. The Mavericks have Luka Doncic. The Suns have Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Markkanen alone isn’t enough to beat those teams. The Warriors would need more. They would need health. They would need development from their young players.
Trading five first-round picks for a player who doesn’t make you a title favorite is a risky proposition.
The Post-Curry Era: Why the Warriors Need Their Picks
Let’s zoom out.
Stephen Curry will retire soon. He has maybe two or three years left. After that, the Warriors will enter a rebuild.
Those first-round picks are essential for that rebuild. They are the Warriors’ lifeline. They are the only way to restock the roster with young talent.
If the Warriors trade away five first-round picks for Markkanen, they are mortgaging their future. They are betting that Markkanen can be a franchise cornerstone after Curry retires.
That’s a big bet. Markkanen is a great player, but he’s not a franchise cornerstone. He’s a complementary piece. He’s a No. 2 option, not a No. 1.
What the Warriors Should Do
Let’s put ourselves in Mike Dunleavy’s shoes.
Option 1: Trade for Markkanen. Send out five first-round picks, the No. 11 pick, and Jimmy Butler. Get Markkanen and Suggs. Go all-in on the next two years.
Option 2: Keep the picks. Draft a young player at No. 11. Develop the core. Let the Curry era end gracefully. Build for the future.
Option 1 is exciting. It gives the Warriors a legitimate second scorer. It keeps the championship window open for a few more years.
Option 2 is safer. It preserves the Warriors’ future. It allows them to rebuild when Curry retires.
There’s no right answer. It depends on what the Warriors prioritize.
The Golden State Warriors have a decision to make. Lauri Markkanen is available. The price is five first-round picks, the No. 11 pick, and Jimmy Butler.
Markkanen would be a perfect fit next to Curry. He’s a 7-foot shooter who can space the floor and score. He’s 28 – young enough to be a bridge to the post-Curry era.
But the cost is enormous. Five first-round picks is a king’s ransom. Markkanen is not Giannis. He’s not a top-10 player.
The Warriors could pivot. They could go after Giannis. They could keep their picks and build for the future.
The Markkanen trade is a gamble. A massive one. It could keep the Warriors in contention for a few more years. Or it could set them back for a decade.
The Warriors have to decide.
And the clock is ticking.