Lauri Markkanen Rumors: Warriors Aren't 'Remotely Close' to Trade; Jazz 'Want' Star

If the Golden State Warriors want to acquire Lauri Markkanen, they will have to significantly increase their offer to the Utah Jazz.

On Monday's episode of NBA Today (starts at 2:50 mark), ESPN's Tim MacMahon explained the Jazz aren't "remotely close" to a deal with the Warriors or any other team for Markkanen in part because they "want" to keep him.

Tuesday will be a critical day for Markkanen's future. It marks the first day he is eligible to renegotiate and extend his deal with the Jazz for up to $232 million over the next four years. NBA rules prevent a player who signs a new contract from being traded for six months.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the most likely scenario is that Markkanen and the Jazz agree to terms on an extension "at some near-term point after Tuesday" to ensure he plays the entire 2024-25 season in Utah.

If Markkanen were to wait until next offseason to sign a contract, he would be eligible for a five-year extension worth an estimated $245.3 million from the Jazz.

Stein previously reported on Sunday that Golden State's offers to the Jazz for Markkanen haven't included Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga.

The Warriors have unsuccessfully tried to make a big splash this offseason. They were reportedly confident about acquiring Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers before he decided to opt out of his contract.

Markkanen could still be on the table for the Warriors if he or the Jazz decide not to extend his contract, but it looks increasingly unlikely that will be the case unless general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. wants to make the type of offer that would be impossible to turn down.

A seven-year veteran, Markkanen has established himself as one of the better power forwards in the NBA since being dealt to Utah as part of the Donovan Mitchell in September 2022.

Markkanen was named to the All-Star team and won Most Improved Player in his first season with the Jazz. He has averaged 24.5 points on 49.0 percent shooting and 8.4 rebounds per game in 121 starts over the past two seasons.