While we are deep into the off-season and most teams have made significant moves to improve their roster, the future of Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen remains in limbo. For weeks now, the seven-footer has been linked to the Warriors, as Joe Lacob’s front office tries to fill the void following Klay’s departure. Amid the uncertainty, Draymond Green made a shocking revelation that he recently stopped the Warriors from making what he believed was a “bad trade” to secure the team’s long-term future. Standing by the 34YO superstar, a Bay Area veteran echoed the same sentiment.

Making an appearance on the Club 520 Podcast, Green claimed that he urged the front office to shut down a would-be trade this summer, “We was just about to make some trades last week.”

While he did not reveal the parties that were involved in the trade, he did say that the deal would have instantly helped him and Steph in these final stages of their career, “And I told them straight up, ‘Yo, that trade help me. It’ll help me right now and my career these last couple of years and Steph.”

However, taking the unselfish approach, Green gave the front office his honest opinion, “But I’ve always spoke to y’all from a place of what’s best for this organization. I won’t stop now. That’s a bad trade. Like, don’t do that trade. I disagree with it, although it’s going to help me right now.”

Sure enough, everyone started connecting the dots and believed that the trade Green was talking about likely involved Lauri Markkanen joining the Warriors. Although Lauri would be a great addition to the team, Danny Ainge is reportedly asking for a lot in exchange for the Big Man, including young talents like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski.

And media veteran Tim Kawakami believes the Warriors might now be hesitant to make the deal because it could put their future in jeopardy, “I don’t think [JK or Podz] would be the sole reason they don’t do a trade. I just don’t think they’ll give the whole boat. 3 1st-round picks, 2 1st-round swaps, Kuminga, & Podziemski. That I don’t think they’ll do.”

Lauri Markkanen might not be worth the risk for the Warriors

While it is clear that the Warriors are desperately looking for a superstar to play alongside Steph, adding Lauri by giving up their entire young core and several future draft picks might not be the right move. More so because it is not even certain that Markkanen will stay healthy for the entire year to help the Warriors win games. Over his seven-year career, not once has the big man played more than 70 games in a season. Just this past season alone, he ended up playing only 55 games due to lingering injuries.

Yes, he averaged 23.2 points along with over eight rebounds, but Jonathan Kuminga showed last season that he might have a similar potential if he continues to grow at this pace. Leaping under ten points the previous year to 16.1 points this past season, JK could be the future pillar of the franchise once Draymond and Steph depart. And Podziemski also showed great promise in his rookie year. Although the Warriors would love to make another title run with Steph and Draymond while they are still playing at an elite level, Green’s honesty and Kawakami’s latest comment might make the front office realize that they also need to secure their future.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.