The Warriors’ best-case scenario for landing Lauri Markkanen

The Golden State Warriors have spent the summer lusting over a potential Lauri Markkanen trade. The All-Star forward would solve the team’s lack of size and provide Steph Curry with a high-level second scoring option. However, the Utah Jazz have been playing hardball, reportedly pricing themselves out of a potential trade.

However, Utah’s stance could change. Markkanen is eligible to sign a contract extension. If he signs on or before Aug. 6, he wouldn’t be eligible to be traded until the Feb. 6 trade deadline. If he holds out until Aug. 7, he will be ineligible to be traded this season. However, as Tim Kawakami of The Athletic has noted, the Warriors will likely be hoping he doesn’t sign an extension at all.

“Or Markkanen or the Jazz, or both, could decide to hold off on a new deal and set up an extended negotiating period in which Markkanen could be traded at any point through February, sign a new deal with the Jazz or just go through the season and hit unrestricted free agency next July,” Kawakami reported. “For the Warriors, this would be the green-light scenario…If that’s how it works out, it will be time to see what Utah can get on the trade market. And I think the Warriors would be in the front of the line, just as they were a few weeks ago when they first engaged in talks with the Jazz.”

Golden State will ultimately need to make a decision regarding their pursuit of Markkanen. They’re either going to wait it out until they get a definitive answer or eventually change direction and pursue other options. After all, the team is currently re-tooling after missing out on the playoffs last season.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. has done an admirable job during the opening weeks of free agency. Unfortunately for him, his overall success may be judged on what happens with Markkanen and whether the Warriors can finally land their primary trade target. Only time will tell whether that becomes a possibility.