It’s not just Klay Thompson who the Golden State Warriors lost in NBA free agency. The Dubs reportedly made a run for Paul George as well, who has now decided to take his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers on a max contract.
At this point, Golden State has to be verging on desperate as they look to add some star power ahead of what they’re hoping will be a Stephen Curry-led bounceback year in 2024-25.
Golden State Warriors Now Looking in Direction of Lauri Markkanen
Apparently, the Los Angeles Clippers rejected multiple trade offers from the Warriors for George. Given the fact that the nine-time All-Star just agreed to a mind-blowing $212 million deal with the Sixers, you have to say that the odds of the Warriors somehow landing George wasn’t very good.
According to NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, these recent turn of events have Golden State pivoting toward Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen:
“They’ve been trying to be aggressive in other places in Golden State,” Woj said. “One player that a number of teams have tried to target — Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz. … A lot of the teams who lost out on Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn have transferred over to try to see if they can land Lauri Markkanen out of Utah. Golden State is one of those teams.”
Warriors trying to land Lauri Markkanen out of Utah; per @wojespn
"A lot of the teams who lost out on Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn have transferred over, trying to see if they can land Lauri Markkanen out of Utah, Golden State is one of those teams"
[h/t @ohnohedidnt24 ] pic.twitter.com/Vndaei7ieg
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) July 1, 2024
Markkanen, who is just a year removed from an All-Star call-up, is entering the final season of his deal with the Jazz. This adds an element of uncertainty surrounding his future — potentially in Golden State.
Nevertheless, the Warriors want to make a splash in the offseason, and Markkanen is the type of big-name signing that will instantly make Golden State a much bigger threat in the West.
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