The Golden State Warriors will reportedly pursue a trio of NBA Finals MVPs — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James — this offseason, as they hope to give Stephen Curry another shot at winning a fifth NBA title.
If they’re unable to land a big fish, the Warriors are still widely expected to make some big moves this summer, possibly using Jimmy Butler III’s expiring $56.8M contract and their surplus of future first-round picks.
One such move would see Golden State land former All-Star Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz and All-Defensive guard Jalen Suggs from the Orlando Magic as part of a three-team Warriors trade idea floated by Fadeaway World.
Warriors would receive: Lauri Markkanen, Jalen Suggs
Jazz would receive: Jimmy Butler, Noah Penda, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap (GSW), 2029 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2031 First-Round Pick (GSW)
Magic would receive: Will Richard, Svi Mykhailiuk, No. 11 Pick (2026 NBA Draft), 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW)
Warriors Trade Idea Fills Holes
As has been widely documented, the Warriors had the chance to acquire Markkanen before the 2024-25 season but turned down an offer from the Jazz due to their reluctance to part with Brandin Podziemski. Two years later, they have the opportunity to right their mistake. Markkanen averaged a career-high 26.7 points while making 2.7 threes a game for the Jazz last season, re-establishing himself as an elite sharpshooter. The Warriors could surely use a player like Markkanen to play off of Curry.
As for Suggs, the Magic guard remains one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, despite being a streaky shooter.
“Markkanen would be a genuine No. 2 scoring option for Curry to rely on after years of carrying Golden State’s offense single-handedly,” wrote Fadeaway World. “He’s a three-level scorer who’s taken strides defensively and would be a great fit in the Warriors’ starting five with Draymond Green filling in any defensive holes. Suggs would be their default point-of-attack defender and would allow Brandin Podziemski to become a sixth man and lead the Warriors’ dismal bench unit.
Warriors Expected to be ‘Aggressive’
“These additions, and a potential Kristaps Porzingis re-signing in the summer, make the Warriors incredibly dangerous for next season. While it means they part with their next five years of draft assets to satisfy the Jazz and the Magic, it might be their best way to immediately return to contention in a packed Western Conference.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier this month that the Warriors will be “aggressive” in trying to retool the roster around Stephen Curry this summer.
“With [Steve] Kerr back and Curry under contract for one more season — and expected to have extension conversations later this summer, league sources said — the front office intends to be aggressive in rearranging the team to better compete for a playoff spot in a crowded conference.”
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