Where Do Warriors Fit in Potential Lauri Markkanen Trade?

Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. feels the pressure of the "Light Years" era.

Stephen Curry is inching closer to aging out of superstardom, and Draymond Green struggles to find the balance between insane genius and flat-out maniac, leaning closer to the latter. Those things, along with the reports of Klay Thompson's imminent franchise exit, the Warriors desperately need a star player to help bolster a lottery team with championship pieces.

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Coincidentally, for Dunleavy, there is a "low-cost" All-Star rumored to be available via trade. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Utah Jazz are reportedly "listening to offers" for Lauri Markkanen.

Upon missing out on Mikal Bridges, the Jazz aren't exactly looking to trade Markkanen, but the phone lines are open.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge loves draft picks, creating an opening for the Warriors to acquire Markkanen's expiring $18 million contract. However, for Utah to entertain Golden State, Dunleavy must risk the future by trading at least one of the 2027 or 2028 first-round picks. But if push comes to shove, there is a legitimate situation in which the Warriors part with both picks to acquire Markkanen.

Despite the Warriors harboring appetizing picks to use in trade negotiations, the contracts on the roster make it difficult to swap players. There isn't an ideal trade for both sides to make the money work unless a third team helps facilitate. While Andrew Wiggins makes sense as a player for Golden State to part with, the Jazz aren't parting with the younger prospects on the roster to help match contracts.

Unless the Warriors trade Kuminga and Kevon Looney, which seems highly unlikely, a trade for Markkanen doesn't work without help from another team.

Ultimately, the Warriors aren't ruled out of a possible Markkanen trade, but they must get creative to acquire the All-Star.