UTA/LAL/GSW

[dcstanley]

UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler
UTA in: LAL 2029 FRP, GSW 2026 FRP, GSW 2028 FRP, GSW 2025 pick swap, GSP 2029 pick swap, Moses Moody (via TPE), Jonathan Kuminga, D'Angelo Russell

LAL trades: 2029 FRP, D'Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes
LAL in: Andrew Wiggins and Walker Kessler

GSW trades: 2026 FRP, 2028 FRP, 2025 pick swap, 2029 pick swap, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins
GSW in: Lauri Markannen, Jared Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes


Utah gets a massive haul of two FRP, two swaps, and two promising young players for Markannen. They also deal Kessler for a LAL FRP and DLO who is on an expiring that can be traded for positive value at the deadline.

GSW trades the farm for Markannen in order to compete this season. Might be a bit rich in value but they're able to keep Podz, get off Wiggins' contract, and bring on some depth pieces from LA.

LAL turns a FRP, DLO and depth pieces into a 2-way wing and a starting caliber center. This trade is a bet on Wiggins bouncing back in a new environment.

[NW]

Would sooner keep Wiggins than take on the Lakers guys.

Moving Wiggins becomes a necessity if they keep Kuminga as he and Lauri would be due big paydays after next season. Not as pressing if Kuminga’s in the deal

[HornetJail]

cut out LA

Lauri+Kessler
for
Wiggins, Kuminga, 2026 1st, 2028 1st, 2030 1st (1-20 rights), swaps in 2025, 2027, and 2029 with the worst of UTA/CLE/MIN in those years.

Steph/Podz/Moody/Lauri/Draymond + Melton/Payton/Hield/Anderson/Kessler. Wings are a little small and there's a lot of excess bench bigs, so i think a follow up move with 2-3 of Looney/Saric (midseason)/Payton/Moody for a bigger SF would make sense.

I personally think this is too much for Lauri+Kessler, but this seems to be the going rate to get Ainge engaged

[PurpleGreenGold]

I think the Jazz pass on this. I don't think they want to be the one to pay Kuminga what he's going to be looking for. If you swap him out for Podz, they might consider.

[louc1970]

Certainly don't want Vanderbilt and his 4 years of non-shooting. Easier to just drop out Lakers as stated above.

[HadAnEffectHere]

I think the Jazz pass on this. I don't think they want to be the one to pay Kuminga what he's going to be looking for. If you swap him out for Podz, they might consider.

The Jazz paying Kuminga doesn't matter at all in a rebuild. The Jazz have failed to use their cap space on anything the last two years and it should be viewed as basically worthless.

[PurpleGreenGold]

I think the Jazz pass on this. I don't think they want to be the one to pay Kuminga what he's going to be looking for. If you swap him out for Podz, they might consider.

The Jazz paying Kuminga doesn't matter at all in a rebuild. The Jazz have failed to use their cap space on anything the last two years and it should be viewed as basically worthless.

You're right, money is not the issue. What the Jazz want are flippable assets. And Kuminga at $40+ million dollars a year long term is most definitely not a flippable asset.

[HadAnEffectHere]

I think the Jazz pass on this. I don't think they want to be the one to pay Kuminga what he's going to be looking for. If you swap him out for Podz, they might consider.

The Jazz paying Kuminga doesn't matter at all in a rebuild. The Jazz have failed to use their cap space on anything the last two years and it should be viewed as basically worthless.

You're right, money is not the issue. What the Jazz want are flippable assets. And Kuminga at $40+ million dollars a year long term is most definitely not a flippable asset.

He is if he learns how to shoot. The entire point of getting Kuminga is to hope he becomes a good shooter and thus becomes an all-star.

It doesn't really matter if he makes $20m or $40m. If he can't shoot, he's not worth much and the Jazz will be unable to flip him regardless. If he can shoot, he's worth above a rookie max and the Jazz will build around him.

The Jazz wasted $43m in cap room last year by giving John Collins and Jordan Clarkson a combined 3 years, $130m and this year got a 2030 second round swap for $5m in cap room. They are not a team that knows how to use cap space.

[louc1970]

I think the Jazz pass on this. I don't think they want to be the one to pay Kuminga what he's going to be looking for. If you swap him out for Podz, they might consider.

That seems to be what Utah wants but I do not think GSW is willing to part with Podz.

If I am Utah, I am plying some hardball here. Utah needs some salary. I want 2 younger players out Kuming/Podz/TJD. Prefer to have all 3 at the expense of taking less picks back. If Utah gets all 3, then only 1 pick moves. If Utah gets 2 of the 3, 2 picks move....

Markkanen alone costs GSW Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/25 FRP
Adding both Kuminga and Podz reduces the number of picks GSW has to include.

An add-on to this deal is Sexton for Wiggins.
Totals out as:
Utah trades Markkanen/Sexton
GSW trades Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/Wiggins/25 FRP

If I am Utah, I showcase Kuminga for trade next year.

[NW]

I think the Jazz pass on this. I don't think they want to be the one to pay Kuminga what he's going to be looking for. If you swap him out for Podz, they might consider.

That seems to be what Utah wants but I do not think GSW is willing to part with Podz.

If I am Utah, I am plying some hardball here. Utah needs some salary. I want 2 younger players out Kuming/Podz/TJD. Prefer to have all 3 at the expense of taking less picks back. If Utah gets all 3, then only 1 pick moves. If Utah gets 2 of the 3, 2 picks move....

Markkanen alone costs GSW Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/25 FRP
Adding both Kuminga and Podz reduces the number of picks GSW has to include.

An add-on to this deal is Sexton for Wiggins.
Totals out as:
Utah trades Markkanen/Sexton
GSW trades Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/Wiggins/25 FRP

If I am Utah, I showcase Kuminga for trade next year.

IMO, Jazz FO wants picks more than players. They just want to weaken GS as much as possible to increase the value of the picks. Lacob has made it clear he’s not tanking, even when Steph, Kerr and Dray ride off into the sunset

[PurpleGreenGold]

The Jazz paying Kuminga doesn't matter at all in a rebuild. The Jazz have failed to use their cap space on anything the last two years and it should be viewed as basically worthless.

You're right, money is not the issue. What the Jazz want are flippable assets. And Kuminga at $40+ million dollars a year long term is most definitely not a flippable asset.

He is if he learns how to shoot. The entire point of getting Kuminga is to hope he becomes a good shooter and thus becomes an all-star.

It doesn't really matter if he makes $20m or $40m. If he can't shoot, he's not worth much and the Jazz will be unable to flip him regardless. If he can shoot, he's worth above a rookie max and the Jazz will build around him.

The Jazz wasted $43m in cap room last year by giving John Collins and Jordan Clarkson a combined 3 years, $130m and this year got a 2030 second round swap for $5m in cap room. They are not a team that knows how to use cap space.

I hear what you're saying, but that seems like settling to me. The Jazz don't need to just settle, they can take their time and make the trade that they're happy with and improves the team. If they're going to get some young players, get ones that have a couple of years on their contracts so they can see what they have.

[louc1970]

I think the Jazz pass on this. I don't think they want to be the one to pay Kuminga what he's going to be looking for. If you swap him out for Podz, they might consider.

That seems to be what Utah wants but I do not think GSW is willing to part with Podz.

If I am Utah, I am plying some hardball here. Utah needs some salary. I want 2 younger players out Kuming/Podz/TJD. Prefer to have all 3 at the expense of taking less picks back. If Utah gets all 3, then only 1 pick moves. If Utah gets 2 of the 3, 2 picks move....

Markkanen alone costs GSW Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/25 FRP
Adding both Kuminga and Podz reduces the number of picks GSW has to include.

An add-on to this deal is Sexton for Wiggins.
Totals out as:
Utah trades Markkanen/Sexton
GSW trades Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/Wiggins/25 FRP

If I am Utah, I showcase Kuminga for trade next year.

IMO, Jazz FO wants picks more than players. They just want to weaken GS as much as possible to increase the value of the picks. Lacob has made it clear he’s not tanking, even when Steph, Kerr and Dray ride off into the sunset

Utah - if they keep all of their picks - adds 2.5 FR players in every draft for the next 5 years. Getting more picks will start to devalue them as teams know Utah will have to dump some of the picks for less than market value.

[NW]

That seems to be what Utah wants but I do not think GSW is willing to part with Podz.

If I am Utah, I am plying some hardball here. Utah needs some salary. I want 2 younger players out Kuming/Podz/TJD. Prefer to have all 3 at the expense of taking less picks back. If Utah gets all 3, then only 1 pick moves. If Utah gets 2 of the 3, 2 picks move....

Markkanen alone costs GSW Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/25 FRP
Adding both Kuminga and Podz reduces the number of picks GSW has to include.

An add-on to this deal is Sexton for Wiggins.
Totals out as:
Utah trades Markkanen/Sexton
GSW trades Looney/Kuminga/Podz/TJD/Wiggins/25 FRP

If I am Utah, I showcase Kuminga for trade next year.

IMO, Jazz FO wants picks more than players. They just want to weaken GS as much as possible to increase the value of the picks. Lacob has made it clear he’s not tanking, even when Steph, Kerr and Dray ride off into the sunset

Utah - if they keep all of their picks - adds 2.5 FR players in every draft for the next 5 years. Getting more picks will start to devalue them as teams know Utah will have to dump some of the picks for less than market value.

Big packages of picks is what gets you the big players these days. Car is always more valuable before driven off the lot

[louc1970]

IMO, Jazz FO wants picks more than players. They just want to weaken GS as much as possible to increase the value of the picks. Lacob has made it clear he’s not tanking, even when Steph, Kerr and Dray ride off into the sunset

Utah - if they keep all of their picks - adds 2.5 FR players in every draft for the next 5 years. Getting more picks will start to devalue them as teams know Utah will have to dump some of the picks for less than market value.

Big packages of picks is what gets you the big players these days. Car is always more valuable before driven off the lot

Are watching/going to the TBT game tonight?

[NW]

Utah - if they keep all of their picks - adds 2.5 FR players in every draft for the next 5 years. Getting more picks will start to devalue them as teams know Utah will have to dump some of the picks for less than market value.

Big packages of picks is what gets you the big players these days. Car is always more valuable before driven off the lot

Are watching/going to the TBT game tonight?

I'll watch it. Went to the game on Saturday.

[mg]

It sounds like Ainge wants Podz, filler contracts + all of the Warriors picks/swaps. If the Warriors won't do that the Jazz will simply renegotiate and extend Lauri on August 6th. The entire league basically knows that is the drop dead date so maybe other teams (Spurs, Rockets, etc) decide to jump back into talks leading up to the deadline day.

Kuminga is fine but the Jazz are more concerned about the next 2 drafts than paying JK on a huge new deal. Podz still has 3 years remaining on his rookie contract so fits the developmental timeline of the other 6 kids they've taken over the past 13 months in the last 2 drafts. Hell I think Ainge could likely trade Kessler by the deadline because he's already entering year 3 of his rookie deal.

If the Warriors are serious about getting a legit running mate for Steph's final prime years, then Podz (a nice prospect but in no way elite) shouldn't be the guy that prevents that from happening. They could still trade Kuminga, Wiggins, etc for backcourt help.

[NW]

It sounds like Ainge wants Podz, filler contracts + all of the Warriors picks/swaps. If the Warriors won't do that the Jazz will simply renegotiate and extend Lauri on August 6th. The entire league basically knows that is the drop dead date so maybe other teams (Spurs, Rockets, etc) decide to jump back into talks leading up to the deadline day.

Kuminga is fine but the Jazz are more concerned about the next 2 drafts than paying JK on a huge new deal. Podz still has 3 years remaining on his rookie contract so fits the developmental timeline of the other 6 kids they've taken over the past 13 months in the last 2 drafts. Hell I think Ainge could likely trade Kessler by the deadline because he's already entering year 3 of his rookie deal.

If the Warriors are serious about getting a legit running mate for Steph's final prime years, then Podz (a nice prospect but in no way elite) shouldn't be the guy that prevents that from happening. They could still trade Kuminga, Wiggins, etc for backcourt help.

Just about everyone covering GS has said Podz isn’t a deal breaker, but if he goes in, at least one first rounder (and maybe swap) goes off the table

[babyjax13]

It sounds like Ainge wants Podz, filler contracts + all of the Warriors picks/swaps. If the Warriors won't do that the Jazz will simply renegotiate and extend Lauri on August 6th. The entire league basically knows that is the drop dead date so maybe other teams (Spurs, Rockets, etc) decide to jump back into talks leading up to the deadline day.

Kuminga is fine but the Jazz are more concerned about the next 2 drafts than paying JK on a huge new deal. Podz still has 3 years remaining on his rookie contract so fits the developmental timeline of the other 6 kids they've taken over the past 13 months in the last 2 drafts. Hell I think Ainge could likely trade Kessler by the deadline because he's already entering year 3 of his rookie deal.

If the Warriors are serious about getting a legit running mate for Steph's final prime years, then Podz (a nice prospect but in no way elite) shouldn't be the guy that prevents that from happening. They could still trade Kuminga, Wiggins, etc for backcourt help.

Just about everyone covering GS has said Podz isn’t a deal breaker, but if he goes in, at least one first rounder (and maybe swap) goes off the table

On our end we are hearing that Golden State doesn't want to include Podz I'm super curious where the actual offer is - I suspect your take is probably about right, and if they are taking out a first that means they are effectively offering one unprotected pick, likely one pick protected 20-30, and two swaps with Podz. I'm feeling like in the next week or two they hammer out something that works. I don't particularly want Lauri gone, but I'd get it, and wouldn't hate it if we get enough picks in return. Not sure I love George/Podz as a combo, but it would be at least interesting to see if it can work since Podz is a great rebounder and helps make up for George's lack of playmaking at point guard (it's not terrible, he is a creative passer, he's just not really a game manager) and frees him to do what he does best - attack the basket and shoot more spot-ups rather than off-the-bounce threes.

[babyjax13]

It sounds like Ainge wants Podz, filler contracts + all of the Warriors picks/swaps. If the Warriors won't do that the Jazz will simply renegotiate and extend Lauri on August 6th. The entire league basically knows that is the drop dead date so maybe other teams (Spurs, Rockets, etc) decide to jump back into talks leading up to the deadline day.

Kuminga is fine but the Jazz are more concerned about the next 2 drafts than paying JK on a huge new deal. Podz still has 3 years remaining on his rookie contract so fits the developmental timeline of the other 6 kids they've taken over the past 13 months in the last 2 drafts. Hell I think Ainge could likely trade Kessler by the deadline because he's already entering year 3 of his rookie deal.

If the Warriors are serious about getting a legit running mate for Steph's final prime years, then Podz (a nice prospect but in no way elite) shouldn't be the guy that prevents that from happening. They could still trade Kuminga, Wiggins, etc for backcourt help.

Just about everyone covering GS has said Podz isn’t a deal breaker, but if he goes in, at least one first rounder (and maybe swap) goes off the table

On our end we are hearing that Golden State doesn't want to include Podz I'm super curious where the actual offer is - I suspect your take is probably about right, and if they are taking out a first that means they are effectively offering one unprotected pick, likely one pick protected 20-30, and two swaps with Podz. I'm feeling like in the next week or two they hammer out something that works. I don't particularly want Lauri gone, but I'd get it, and wouldn't hate it if we get enough picks in return. Not sure I love George/Podz as a combo, but it would be at least interesting to see if it can work since Podz is a great rebounder and helps make up for George's lack of playmaking at point guard (it's not terrible, he is a creative passer, he's just not really a game manager) and frees him to do what he does best - attack the basket and shoot more spot-ups rather than off-the-bounce threes.

Or, I guess slight addendum, the rumor is that there is an offer with Kuminga that, if Golden State replaced him with Podz, we would accept.

[dcstanley]

Certainly don't want Vanderbilt and his 4 years of non-shooting. Easier to just drop out Lakers as stated above.

What if the Lakers send the 2029 FRP to the Warriors for Wiggins instead?

And to Utah, they trade DLO, take the protections of the 2027 pick, and send a 2028 pick swap for Kessler. Is that enough?