Who will be this off-season's alternative to last off-season's ill advised fixation on Lauri Markkanen?

[Old_Blue]

Among Warriors watchers, a great deal of last off-season was spent obsessing over Lauri effing Markkanen, of all players. Yes, that Lauri Markkanen who has never been more than the #1 option on a dog $hit team and who went on to finish the 2024-2025 season at or near career low numbers across the board (including in games played, which was hard to accomplish since he'd never previously put up anything close to a full season). The same Lauri Markkanen who, after receiving an extension, is now a nearly $200 million albatross draped around the necks of the Utah Jazz. The kicker? Danny (the only way you could be a bigger idiot than me is if you agree with me) Ainge was reportedly asking for a package of upwards of 4 first round picks and 4 pick swaps in exchange for Markkanen. Ahem. Yeah. Talk about dodging a bullet.

All of which leads us to wonder...Who will be this off-season's ill advised fixation? Which isn't to say that the player will necessarily be a bad one, but could also apply to a ridiculous over-pay for said player. Jaren Jackson, Jr.? No knock on the guy. But, I've already read suggestions of offering a package of 4 first round picks and 4 pick swaps (sound familiar?) in exchange for JJJ. How would those 8 picks look three years from now, when Steph is 40 and Draymond and Jimmy (if either are even still with the team) are both 38?

Every off-season is the same, with a drumbeat for the team to shoot itself in the foot. Who will be the focus of that drumbeat now?

[SpreeS]

This forum rioted for George and Lauri trades last summer...Only some of us were against this nonsense.

[Onus]

Among Warriors watchers, a great deal of last off-season was spent obsessing over Lauri effing Markkanen, of all players. Yes, that Lauri Markkanen who has never been more than the #1 option on a dog $hit team and who went on to finish the 2024-2025 season at or near career low numbers across the board (including in games played, which was hard to accomplish since he'd never previously put up anything close to a full season). The same Lauri Markkanen who, after receiving an extension, is now a nearly $200 million albatross draped around the necks of the Utah Jazz. The kicker? Danny (the only way you could be a bigger idiot than me is if you agree with me) Ainge was reportedly asking for a package of upwards of 4 first round picks and 4 pick swaps in exchange for Markkanen. Ahem. Yeah. Talk about dodging a bullet.

All of which leads us to wonder...Who will be this off-season's ill advised fixation? Which isn't to say that the player will necessarily be a bad one, but could also apply to a ridiculous over-pay for said player. Jaren Jackson, Jr.? No knock on the guy. But, I've already read suggestions of offering a package of 4 first round picks and 4 pick swaps (sound familiar?) in exchange for JJJ. How would those 8 picks look three years from now, when Steph is 40 and Draymond and Jimmy (if either are even still with the team) are both 38?

Every off-season is the same, with a drumbeat for the team to shoot itself in the foot. Who will be the focus of that drumbeat now?

Why are you worried about what we look like 3 years from now. No matter what happens we’re going to be trash once Steph retires. Those mid to late round 1sts aren’t going to help the team now and while yes the rebuild will take longer without our picks we’re going to be bad anyway. Plus in 3 years we can probably trade jjj for picks. I’ve suffered through 20 years of unserious basketball with the warriors. What’s another 5 if Steph gets a 5th? That 5th will carry me for a decade worth of bragging rights about watching the greatest of his generation.

[Jester_]

[vvoland]

easy to crap on other people's ideas (though I think it was all in jest, blue) but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this roster. Assuming you'd prefer to blow it up and accelerate the rebuild, based on the content of your post.

Or do you favor staying pat, not sacrificing any of the future and seeing Steph fail in the early rounds of the playoffs is good enough? I'm not trying to be a ****, it comes naturally, but am curious what you'd do w/ this team.

Going all in on a young big we can almost certainly trade once steph is done doesn't seem like worst idea. Certainly beats going after a mid-30s PG or an uninterested Finn or a moody easy money sniper. At least, to my eyes

What do you suggest?

[AirP.]

After listening for a few years about how valuable those 1sts from Lakers picks were going to be after LeBron, I would think any GS pick from 2028 and beyond for 2-4years on should be one of the most valuable future picks (or swaps) in the league with the expectation of Curry, Butler and Draymond being done and gone or very close that 27-28 season.

[Old_Blue]

This forum rioted for George and Lauri trades last summer...Only some of us were against this nonsense.

The logic strained credulity to the breaking point. A couple of highlights from last off-season's arguments in favor of pursuing Markkanen...

Lauri is a monster. He's a level below prime Nowitzki. He would be a legit #2 on a championship team. Playing alongside Steph will make him one of maybe 3 or 4 of the most lethal offensive players in the league.

Guys remember if Lauri is good he will be worth picks in a future trade. Think about how many picks ahve been generated by trading stars the past few years. It might take 3 picks now to get him, but in a couple years you might be able to trade him and get 2-3 picks back. It's a crazy league where picks are thrown around like monopoly money.

The recipe for a franchise killing cocktail? One part hopelessly flawed assessment of a player's talent, one part flawed assessment of that same player's subsequent trade value and - of course - plenty of Kool-Aid.

[Nvnervous45]

Lauri "the grass is always greener" Markannen. I 'member!

[TB]

As much as Ainge asking price was extreme, I think this thread is a bit extreme too

Lauri has had a bad year no doubt… but he was on a terrible team that the front office was more focused on tanking than winning games. And while that was way too much of an asking price and his contract looks pretty insane now, I do think his season would have been totally different playing next to Steph and Dray.

Also, the ask was 5 1st round picks including the swaps (not 4 + 4 swaps which isn't even possible unless you own other peoples picks)… so most trade offers on this board were something like Loon or GP2 for salary, then Kuminga, Moody and 2 1sts + a swap (since thats all we had available)… essentially considering Kuminga and Moody equal to a pick. I still dont think thats too crazy considering the 2 years Lauri had just had. And even in hindsight its not like Loon, GP2, Kuminga, or Moody have had crazy good years. Steph, Podz, Wiggins, Lauri, Dray could have been very good. Also, Evan was correct in that post that you can still get picks back when you trade a player later… so i don’t know why that was highlighted.

As for the JJJ part… first off no reason he’s going to be available. It would be insane for the Grizzlies to get rid of him. But if they did, of course we would want him and overpay if needed to get a lineup of Steph, Podz, Jimmy, Dray, JJJ.

[Jester_]

hard to dignify another dumbass Blue thread on account of his alzheimers but....

if we had Lauri instead of Kuminga/Moody we would've won the chip this year

[EvanZ]

This forum rioted for George and Lauri trades last summer...Only some of us were against this nonsense.

The logic strained credulity to the breaking point. A couple of highlights from last off-season's arguments in favor of pursuing Markkanen...

Lauri is a monster. He's a level below prime Nowitzki. He would be a legit #2 on a championship team. Playing alongside Steph will make him one of maybe 3 or 4 of the most lethal offensive players in the league.

Guys remember if Lauri is good he will be worth picks in a future trade. Think about how many picks ahve been generated by trading stars the past few years. It might take 3 picks now to get him, but in a couple years you might be able to trade him and get 2-3 picks back. It's a crazy league where picks are thrown around like monopoly money.

The recipe for a franchise killing cocktail? One part hopelessly flawed assessment of a player's talent, one part flawed assessment of that same player's subsequent trade value and - of course - plenty of Kool-Aid.

If I knew flipping Wiggins for Jimmy was an option, I might have felt differently. But tbh, Lauri is still everything people want Post to be and much more. It's still a critical piece this team needs.

[HiRez]

For me it was never about Markkanen himself. Hell I'd love to have him on the team today, it's just Ainge's asking price being not connected to reality, it was a non-starter not even worth negotiating as a starting point. Really the same thing with Paul George. Good player but giving up multiple first round picks for someone of his age and injury history when we're already running the world's most expensive nursing home is nuts.

I doubt they're making any big moves this year with multiple picks but if they do, it damn well better be someone who has 1) size/length, 2) elite skills, and 3) youth — like 24-30 tops. And they better be able to reliably knock down 3s at a high rate.

For me, 2 guys I would be very interested in acquiring and would send some picks for are DENI AVDIJA and TREY MURPHY. Those guys would be incredible next to Steph.

The shiny object of the offseason? I'm gonna say ZION.

[cpower]

just get CAM Johsnon much cheaper and you get 90% of what Lauri is.

[Old_Blue]

if we had Lauri instead of Kuminga/Moody we would've won the chip this year

You make as much sense as an AI generated TikTok video. Markkanen's season ended in mid March. Not only would he not have been available for a playoff run. But, the draft picks and salary squandered on Markkanen would have precluded a trade for Butler.

Watch on YouTube

[Jester_]

if we had Lauri instead of Kuminga/Moody we would've won the chip this year

You make as much sense as an AI generated TikTok video. Markkanen's season ended in mid March. Not only would he not have been available for a playoff run. But, the draft picks and salary squandered on Markkanen would have precluded a trade for Butler.

Watch on YouTube

yeah if he was with us he'd have the exact same injury timing

take your meds and go to sleep

[Old_Blue]

yeah if he was with us he'd have the exact same injury timing

You're clearly going out of your way to be obtuse. The "monster" you're infatuated with is a brittle, injury prone mess. In 8 pro seasons with 3 different teams, Markkanen has averaged only 56 games played. This extensive injury history was one of the factors cited by the sane among us in arguing against trading for Markkanen. What makes you so stupid as to think Markkanen would magically become not only the second coming of Dirk Nowitzki but also some kind of 80 games played iron man simply because he played with the Dubs?

Watch on YouTube

[Jester_]

yeah if he was with us he'd have the exact same injury timing

You're clearly going out of your way to be obtuse. The "monster" you're infatuated with is a brittle, injury prone mess. In 8 pro seasons with 3 different teams, Markkanen has averaged only 56 games played. This extensive injury history was one of the factors cited by the sane among us in arguing against trading for Markkanen. What makes you so stupid as to think Markkanen would magically become not only the second coming of Dirk Nowitzki but also some kind of 80 games played iron man simply because he played with the Dubs?

Watch on YouTube