The Golden State Warriors have the final roll of the dice amid their off-season struggles. It’s safe to say that the Bay Area side has miserably lost big names. After losing stars like Klay Thompson and Chris Paul, the team has added three role players. Experts wrote off the trade as a failure despite the value it brings to the fold. However, the Dubs recently showed interest in Lauri Markkanen in return for Jonathan Kuminga. But matters seem to have taken a hit with a $200 million crisis.

The Utah Jazz star forward is set to enter free agency in August and this situation has really opened up. The Dubs, after taking a strong blow after Klay’s departure, emerged as the front-runners. An earlier report from Hoopshype revealed that the San Francisco side would make an offer centered around Kuminga, along with the team’s strong youth movement. But it seems to have gone down the drain. Tony Jones of 95.7 The Game has reported that the Jazz’s executive Danny Ainge’s eyes on a trade heavily focused on picks.

Jones said, “Golden State has an offer on the table and it’s substantial [for Lauri Markkanen]. I think offers are heavily pick-based with a couple of offers there’s a young player or two that has the potential to grow… one thing that complicates Golden State’s package is that they only have two first-round picks that are tradeable”.

“You have 26 unprotected, you have 28 unprotected, but the third first-round pick is protected from 1 through 20, which essentially means it’s not a first-round pick,” Jones concluded. While the team has seemingly already lost the battle because of Ainge’s heavily pick-based approach, another setback also hit the team.

Even though the Dubs can pull themselves out of the Lauri hunt without damage, Evan Giddings states, “Jonathan Kuminga now sees himself as a $200 million player.” On one hand, the Jazz cannot afford a $200 million worth star for Lauri Markkanen. On the other, the Dubs will have to make a lot of sacrifices to accommodate Kuminga in the next season, as he will enter restricted free agency.

Why is the Lauri Markkanen trade the need of the hour?

Well, at least for the Utah Jazz. Even though the off-season is the right opportunity for the team to trade Lauri Markkanen, they can’t afford to drag it till August. The #7 pick of the 2017 draft will enter free agency on August 6. If the Jazz re-signs him on the 6th, they can’t trade him again for the next 6 months, which will be February 6th, the 2025 trade deadline day.

So, it will leave the Jazz to make a quick decision with very little margin for error. The team could either score big or miss out on the big star. Nevertheless, it’s ideal for the Jazz to make their trade work. If not for the Dubs, they have plenty of teams to look out for.

Earlier reports revealed that the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Pelicans looked like the notable options for the Jazz star. Moreover, the report also stated that the “Jazz would only consider moving Markkanen for a sizable trade package similar to what the Knicks gave up to acquire Mikal Bridges.”  

If we compare, the NY side gave up 4 unprotected first-round picks, an unprotected pick swap, and a protected first-round pick to rope in the Villanova baller. So, the teams that can afford such an expense will make their move, but it seems increasingly unlikely to be GSW.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.