Lauri Markkanen, once coveted by the Warriors, is now one of the NBA's best scorers. But here's where it gets interesting: the Warriors were reportedly close to trading for him a year ago. Let's dive into the story of this versatile forward and his remarkable journey to stardom.
Markkanen, a 7-footer with exceptional mobility, is the epitome of the modern NBA's ideal scoring forward. He can shoot threes, drive to the basket, and get to the free-throw line at an elite rate, making him the kind of player NBA teams have craved since the Curry-and-Kerr era revolutionized the league. And now, the Warriors, who were once eyeing him, have to contend with a blossoming superstar.
"Lauri Markkanen is on an incredible run and has been playing at a high level for a few years now, which is a real challenge for us," said Kerr after a recent practice. The Warriors, facing a shortage of players, will have to deal with Markkanen, who was reportedly part of trade talks last summer. The Jazz held out, and Markkanen signed a massive five-year, $238 million contract to stay in Salt Lake City.
Despite Utah's struggles with a 5-11 record, Markkanen is not the reason for their struggles. He's been a consistent scorer throughout his NBA career, averaging over 20 points per game twice. But this season, he's taken a giant leap forward.
Markkanen is currently one of the top scorers in the NBA, averaging an impressive 29.3 points per game, ranking him seventh in the league. He's knocking down 3-pointers at a 38.4% rate and getting to the foul line 6.7 times a night. His scoring prowess is evident in his 51, 47, and 40-point games this season. Tonight, he'll face a Warriors team missing key players like Jonathan Kuminga, Al Horford, and possibly Draymond Green.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have seen some growth from their own players. Moses Moody, who was reportedly part of the trade discussions, has become a regular in the rotation, averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting a career-high 42.6% from beyond the arc. He's also the team's best perimeter defender. Brandin Podziemski, another player involved in the trade talks, has played all 18 games and averaged a career-high 12.8 points per game. Despite his role shifting between starting and coming off the bench, he's finding his scoring touch, hitting double-figures in four of his last five games.
While neither Moody nor Podziemski is likely to make an All-Star team, they've both established themselves as starting-caliber players for the Warriors. Markkanen, on the other hand, is an All-Star, having achieved that honor in 2023 and likely repeating it this season. The Warriors' pursuit of Markkanen a year ago raises questions about the team's strategy and the value of versatile, high-scoring forwards in the modern NBA. Will the Warriors regret not acquiring him? That's a thought-provoking question for fans and analysts alike, leaving a lasting impact on the league's landscape.
