Grade the Trade: Warriors land Markkanen in expensive blockbuster pitch

Laying out the trade

The Utah Jazz are inclined to keep Lauri Markkanen; that's the starting point that has to be assumed for any deal. It's difficult to get All-Stars in Utah, and just as difficult to keep them. Markkanen is a dynamic offensive player, a good defender and rebounder, and he would fit extremely well around whtever other star the Jazz trade for or draft in the coming years.

On the other hand, Markkanen is 27 years old, and the Jazz don't have any idea who that second star is. Their best path to landing one is in the draft, but Markkanen is too good for them to outright tank next year. Moving off of him would bring back assets and set them up for a shot at a top prospect in a loaded 2025 draft.

Who will they demand from the Warriors? The latest reporting suggests that they covet second-year guard Brandin Podziemski. Here is what such a trade between the teams could look like, centered around Podziemski and Markkanen:

Markkanen makes just $18 million this season, making it relatively easy to match his salary. In this construction the Jazz also send back Jordan Clarkson to give the Warriors a reliable veteran guard to back up Stephen Curry, and the Warriors subsequently expand their return to Utah to include Andrew Wiggins.

Does this deal make sense for the Warriors? Would it be enough for the Jazz? Let's grade the trade from both sides.