Blockbuster new three-team trade proposal sends Lauri to Warriors, Hawks get defense

With the announcement of Paul George signing with the 76ers to a four-year maximum contract, the other high-impact move of the offseason is the trade of Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. If recent reports are any indication, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

Earlier today, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps went on the Hoop Collective podcast and talked about the trade rumors surrounding Markkanen.

“If the Warriors can get a guy like Markkanen, who’s a great mover, improved defensively, that would be a really good fit. But again, it’s a big play. Maybe they could do it, but it’s a really big play.”

His co-host and colleague Brian Windhorst responded to Bontemps by mentioning that the Warriors and Spurs were both looking at Markkanen.

“Other teams are interested in Markkanen and I think San Antonio is one of them.”

The reason Golden State landed Markkanen is obvious: They want to give Steph Curry one last chance to compete. They don’t have the stockpile of assets that the Spurs or Thunder have, but they do have some intriguing young players in Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Last year, Kuminga recorded career highs in points (16.1), rebounds (3.6), assists (2.2) and field goal percentage (52.9). He exerts a ton of pressure at the rim, has shown better ball handling, and fits in well as an off-ball cutter. Moody is a 6’6 guard with a seven-foot wingspan, belying his efficient defense and shooting. He’s more of a rotation player, but could move into an expanded role with more minutes.

Atlanta likely wouldn’t be able to acquire Kuminga or Moody in a three-team deal with Utah and Golden State. The Warriors would have to include both in a package for Markkanen and all of their first-time tradeable players in order to pique Utah’s interest. The Hawks also shouldn’t trade for Markkanen themselves. As we’ve seen here, that doesn’t make sense given Atlanta’s current roster situation. However, they could use this situation to further reconfigure their roster around Trae Young.

Golden State making this deal means they need as many winning players as possible. Brandin Podziemski has shown enough upside to secure his roster spot, but could the Warriors be interested in moving someone like Trayce Jackson-Davis?

I think a three-team deal that sees Atlanta bolster its rotation, Golden State land one of the best winning players in basketball, and Utah add to its treasure trove of assets could make sense for everyone. Here’s the trade.

It should be noted that this is simply a fun, speculative exercise to see what types of moves can be made, not what I think a team should absolutely do. That’s all.

Atlanta gets: Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis, 2026 2nd round pick (from GSW via Atlanta), 2028 2nd round pick swap (from GSW via Atlanta), 2025 1st round pick (via Minnesota)

Golden State gets: DeAndre Hunter, Clint Capela, Lauri Markkanen

Utah Gets: Larry Nance Jr, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, 2027 2nd Round Pick (via LAC), 2027 1st Round Pick, 2028 1st Round Pick Swap, 2029 1st Round Pick Swap, Pick Swap of 1st round 2030.

For Golden State, the addition of Hunter and Markkanen completely replaces what they lost in Wiggins, Moody and Kuminga. Their new starting lineup would be Curry – Podziemski – Green – Markkanen – Capela. A lineup of Green, Markkanen and Capela would be imposing defensively while Curry could keep Capela relevant on offense as a rim runner. Hunter could also come off the bench as a sixth man, which would reduce injury risk and keep him in the role he played during the 2023-24 season.

For Atlanta, Wiggins’ contract is certainly not a bargain. However, they would get a first-round pick for taking on the deal and an exciting upside in Trayce Jackson-Davis. If Wiggins is able to regain some of his championship form with the Warriors, Atlanta could reap those benefits. Wiggins should have some value as he is an athletic wing who has shown high-level play in the past. Looney gives the Hawks a backup center to mitigate the loss of Capela and Okongwu, but the real highlight of this deal is Trayce Jackson-Davis. He can play either forward or center, has shown immense defensive potential, and gives Trae Young an athletic playmaking finisher/lobber threat. The offense is still developing, but Atlanta acquiring him would give them one of the deepest wing rotations in the league. A Young-Daniels-Johnson-Risacher-TJD lineup on the field has a ton of size and would cover some of Young’s defensive limitations.

Utah’s motivation for making this deal is the opportunity to control Golden State’s future in the post-Steph years. The team will likely undergo a complete rebuild, meaning Utah can use trades on these picks to put itself in the best position possible. Since Utah will be entering their own rebuild, they can use these picks to land the prospects with the highest upside potential.

I think this deal is unlikely because I don’t think Golden State will go all-in this way. Their recent signing of winger DeAnthony Melton indicates they are more likely to play it safe and cut costs. However, I think Atlanta could get some positive value out of this move by getting another first-round pick and a young defender with a lot of upside.