The surprise reason the Warriors may keep one starter over another in trade talks

NBA free agency is less than a month old but there has been a notable drop in signings as the league awaits a potential trade of Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. Markkanen reportedly has several suitors, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors, who are perhaps the frontrunners to acquire him.

Although they may be the frontrunners, a potential trade has been held up by the Jazz, who are demanding top dollar for the best player. That might include Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, three first-round picks, and three pick swaps. However, NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Warriors would prefer to keep Podziemski and move on from Jonathan Kuminga instead. 

Why the Golden State Warriors may prefer to keep Brandin Podziemski over Jonathan Kuminga.

The Warriors' preference for Podziemski over Kuminga may be a financial one. Podziemski is still on his rookie contract for the next three seasons, which will pay him just $12.7 million in total. Compare that to Kuminga, who is eligible for an extension that could pay him at least $30 million over the next 4 years after the final year of his rookie deal.

Choosing Podziemski over Kuminga would allow them to offset some of the cost of Markannen, who will either sign an extension on or after August 6th, 2025, and possibly be moved at the trade deadline. Or, he may be moved prior to that date and sign an extension with his new team.

That would track with their other off-season moves, which included letting Warriors legend Klay Thompson leave in free agency and waiving Chris Paul and his $30 million salary. As a result, picking Podziemski over Kuminga because of the dramatic difference in salary makes sense when compared to their previous moves.

It might also save them from having to give up a couple of future first-round picks, with Kuminga being a more known player and someone that the Jazz can extend after seeing how he plays in an expanded role in Utah. Based on that, if a deal were to happen, Kuminga being included instead of Podziemski might make sense for both teams. We'll just have to see whether the Warriors and Jazz actually agree on a deal.